Members of American Legion Post 642 lead the Memorial Day Parade down Main Street in Chicora last year.

Chicora American Legion Post 642 will receive a bell Monday that will become a permanent part of all Memorial Day ceremonies.

A parade will kickoff at 10 a.m. Monday to recognize Memorial Day, and a ceremony honoring military personnel will follow at the borough’s honor roll on Chicora Road.

Fred Callihan, chaplain for the Chicora American Legion Post 642, said the legion organizes a Memorial Day function for the borough every year. The event also recognizes specific veterans who have lived in Chicora or the nearby area.

This year, the legion is receiving a bell from the McNallen family, which Callihan said will be rung at the ceremony to punctuate the reading of names from the honor roll.

Callihan said the bell will be dedicated Monday and installed at the honor roll, making it a permanent part of future Memorial Day ceremonies.

The guest speaker at this year’s event is John Cyprian, former director of Butler County Veterans Services, who, Callihan said, has been a valuable resource to veterans in Butler County for years.

Callihan said the parade is receiving numerous entries from people with antique vehicles and cars, but it also will feature Chicora staples such as the Karns City High School marching band, firetrucks from nearby volunteer companies, covered wagons and the Shriners.

Callihan said the event likely will wrap up by noon. He also said that while the ceremony typically gathers a large crowd, he is expecting an even bigger response this year because of the cancellation of other Memorial Day events in Evans City and Washington Township.

“We always do get a nice crowd,” Callihan said. “We’ve got a lot of fun things happening. You don't want to miss it this year.”