Area residents are invited this Memorial Day to honor those who paid the ultimate price to ensure the liberties we all enjoy today.

In Oxford, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the National Guard Armory, next to the Oxford Conference Center, located off the Sisk Avenue exit of Highway 7 N.

Hosted by the American Legion, with help from the Veterans of Foreign War and the Disabled American Veterans, this year’s ceremony will honor those local veterans who have died this year as well as all those who have died while serving and by natural causes.

Unlike Veterans Day services, the Memorial Day Ceremony is generally a more somber affair.

Recognition of departed area veterans will be done by Will St. Amand, followed by the Dedication of Wreath that is donated by Bette’s Flowers. The wreath will be placed at the Lafayette County Courthouse after the ceremony.

St. Amand will read off the names of veterans who have died in the last 12 months, compiled by the Skipwith Historical and Genealogical Society.

Abbeville resident Katie Arnold will sing the national anthem.

The program will begin with a welcome and invocation by Bro. Randy Hope with the Abbeville Baptist Church. The Oxford Police Department’s Color Guard will present the colors.

This year’s guest speaker will be Ret. U.S. Army Col. Ed Gregory.

The ceremony will close with the playing of taps by Brandon McClellan.