MARKLEVILLE — It’s been 20 years since Markleville turned an empty lot on the southeast corner of Main and State streets into a place to honor Adams Township veterans.

At the time, the community — individuals, businesses and other organizations — came together to build a nicer memorial at a more prominent site than an existing monument situated on former Markleville School property.

This year, there are other factors driving plans for a re-dedication ceremony, planned for 2 p.m. Nov. 11.

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For one, Veterans Day falls on a Saturday.

“That way more people can come,” said Jan Fox, one of about a dozen volunteers working with the Markleville Park Board to arrange the celebration.

About 100 people attended the original dedication of Markleville Memorial Square in 1997, Fox said. The program included the singing of the national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from several speakers, as well as an unveiling of a new monument to fallen service members from Adams Township.

The names of the fallen — 21 in all, from the Civil War to the Vietnam War — were read, family members received a flower to place on the monument and there was a 21-gun salute.

This time around, the re-dedication will be a celebration of all area veterans. There will be similar services, including music, flowers and a display of memorabilia. Invitations have been sent to some special guests, and the event is open to the public.

Chris Arens, another volunteer who’s helping organize the event, said having such a service now is important because some of the people in town who were involved with the memorial square project and original dedication are advancing in age.

“We’re trying to do something before all these people are gone,” Arens said.

A reception, including social time and a chicken noodle meal to benefit the Markleville Jamboree, will follow at the Hardy Building, located on the northwest corner of Main and State streets.