Sirens will sound through Selma and Dallas County on Memorial Day followed by a moment of silence to remember fallen soldiers that gave their lives in the line of duty.

The National Moment of Remembrance Act, which was passed by President Bill Clinton in 2000, designated 3 p.m. as the National Moment of Remembrance, and just like in year’s past the city of Selma and Dallas County will be taking part in it with a special ceremony.

This year’s ceremony will be in front of Selma City Hall Monday, May 25 at 2:30 p.m.

Kay Alsobrook, who helps plan the event, said the idea for the ceremony came from Mayor George Evans.

“Mayor Evans was the speaker at a Memorial Day service at the stadium, and in his speech he mentioned that he did some research on something called a Moment of Remembrance,” Alsobrook said. “He was just passionate about wanting to see this happen in Selma, and so I said I would be glad to help him put together a program.”

The program will honor soldiers that died in World War I and II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, among other wars and conflicts. The program will feature speakers like Mayor Evans, Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard and others. Veterans will read the names of around 200 soldiers from Selma and the surrounding areas.

Once the names are read, the Selma Fire and Police Departments and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department will sound their sirens at 2:59 p.m. When the clock strikes 3 p.m., the sirens will stop, and a moment of silence will be observed.

“I think it means a lot to the families,” Alsobrook said. “Just the fact that when you hear those sirens stop sounding, if [people] would just stop for one minute and thank the lord for those people who were so willing to give themselves for us.”

A banner will also be printed with each fallen soldiers name on it to show thanks to those that lost their lives.

“It is fantastic to be able to celebrate and really more distinctly remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Carl Bowline, who has the banner printed each year by Madden and Associates. “To take time during Memorial Day between the beach and the barbecue, between the pool and the picnic and to sit down and actually take a second to remember those that made that sacrifice and the families that we left behind is an honor to be able to participate.”

Alsobrook encourages anyone with a family member that died while serving in the military or knows a veteran that would like to read the names of the fallen soldiers to call the mayor’s office at 874-2100.