By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Vietnam War veteran Bob Wilhelm will be the featured speaker during the Hays American Legion's annual Memorial Day program.

The program begins at 10 a.m. Monday in front of the Ellis County Courthouse.

"It's a very special day for the veterans and their families, especially the ones that have given the ultimate sacrifice," said Stan Dreiling, a member of the American Legion.

The program will feature a roll call of names on the memorials outside the courthouse, flag raising and flag folding ceremonies, patriotic music and representatives from numerous wars.

A dinner for anyone participating in the program, veterans and their families will follow the program at the American Legion, 1305 Canterbury.

Dreiling said about 1,000 flags will be placed by the graves of deceased military veterans in Mount Allen Cemetery on Monday.

Along with the day program, a memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the American Legion.

Dreiling said the names of military veterans who have died since May 2007 will be read during the service.

"We keep requesting to give us one hour of your time," Dreiling said.

The Ellis VFW also will put on Memorial Day services Monday morning.

The VFW honor guard and rifle squad, Ellis High School band, local clergy speakers and local Boy Scouts will provide a program at each of the following locations and approximate times:

* St. John Cemetery, 9 a.m.

* St. Mary Cemetery, 9:45 a.m.

* Washington Street bridge, 10 a.m.

* VFW Memorial monument at Memorial Park, 10:15 a.m.

* Mount Hope Cemetery, 11 a.m.

In Victoria, the 14th annual Fidelisfest will take place. Visits to Emmeram, Walker, Vincent and Victoria cemeteries will precede an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Fidelis Catholic Church.

A German wedding-style dinner will follow, with an auction planned for 2 p.m. and musical entertainment throughout the day.

Other area Memorial Day programs and services:

Graham County:

* The Graham County Honor Guard will conduct a Memorial Day program at 10 a.m. at Hill City Cemetery with the emphasis on World War II and Korean War veterans.

* Memorial Day services will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Morland Cemetery and at 10 a.m. at Studley Cemetery.

Ness County:

* The Bazine American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day program at 10 a.m. at Bazine Cemetery with Gary Foos serving as master of ceremonies.

* Services in Ness City will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ness City American Legion. A service at the veterans memorial and park will follow the program at the Legion.

* The McKinstry-Jones American Legion, Utica, will sponsor services at 10 a.m. at Arnold Cemetery and at 11 a.m. Monday at Utica Cemetery.

* The Brownell American Legion and Ransom VFW will conduct services at 9 a.m. at Vansbaugh Cemetery and at 10 a.m. Monday at Ransom Cemetery.

Osborne County:

* Osborne veterans will conduct services at 9 a.m. at St. Aloysius Cemetery and at 10 a.m. Monday at Osborne Cemetery. Sumner Cemetery will have services at 10 a.m. Monday.

Rooks County:

* The Plainville VFW and Auxiliary will sponsor three programs Monday at the following times and locations: 9 a.m. Palco Cemetery; 10 a.m. Shiloh Cemetery, Codell; and 11 a.m. Plainville Cemetery.

* The Stockton VFW will conduct services Monday at the following times and locations: 9:30 a.m. Catholic Cemetery; 10 a.m. Stockton Cemetery; and 10:45 a.m. Mount Vernon Cemetery. A potluck dinner will follow at the Stockton VFW post.

Rush County:

* The McCracken American Legion will conduct services at the following times and locations: 9 a.m. Alexander Cemetery; 10 a.m. St. Mary Catholic Cemetery; and 11 a.m. McCracken City Cemetery. A dinner will follow at noon at the McCracken Community Building.

Russell County:

* A program at the Russell City Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. Monday with Elmer Steinle serving as master of ceremonies.

The program also will include music by 4-Told Quartet, the Russell community men's ensemble, a memorial address from the Rev. Roger Dennis, a rifle salute and a reading of the Gettysburg Address.

Trego County:

* The fifth annual Memorial Day service at Kansas Veterans Cemetery, WaKeeney, will begin at 10 a.m. Monday with guest speaker, retired Gen. Philip Finley, former Kansas Adjutant General. Other parts of the program will include performances by the WaKeeney Harmony Club and the Rev. Randy Gibbs from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, invocation and benediction from the Rev. Donald Pfannenstiel from Christ the King Catholic Church, the placing of wreaths, a memorial balloon release and a 21-gun salute.

* The Thomas P. Tidball Post will conduct Memorial Day services in Collyer at St. Michael at 9 a.m. and at the city cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Monday.