A memorial service to commemorate U.S. veterans and others killed in Central America will be held at 3:30 p.m. today.

Sponsored by the John Lennon Society, the service will be held near west Stadium Drive, said NIU student Tom Rogers, who is coordinating the event, said. Rogers is a JLS member.

The catalyst for the service is the ROTC’s scheduled display of parachuting, Rogers said.

The service will include eulogies, prayers and a moment of silence, Rogers said.

In addition to the JLS, Interfaith Network members and Rockford-area Veterans for Peace will participate in the service, Rogers said.

Steve Nelson, member of Veterans for Peace, said, “We will speak from our experiences as Vietnam Veterans and make the connection between how our government got involved in Vietnam and how it is getting involved in Central America.”