St. Charles Plans Memorial Day Activities

ST. CHARLES, IL - From the City of St. Charles: Come out to show respect for our troops who have given their lives in service to our country and thank our local veterans at the St. Charles Memorial Day events to be held Monday, May 28. Activities begin at 6:00 a.m. and include cemetery ceremonies, a parade, and a memorial service.

This year, there will be an open house after the memorial service for all veterans and their families at the new Veterans Center (VFW, American Legion, AMVETS) in St. Charles. The Center is located 311 North 2nd Street, Unit 109, on Rt. 31, directly across from Salerno’s on the River. Events are sponsored by the St. Charles VFW, American Legion and AMVETS posts.

“There are 28,000 veterans in Kane County,” said Event Coordinator Lt. Colonel Mark Powell, (Ret). “We hope to see all of our local veterans take part in the activities with the entire community.”

“We always have a tremendous outpouring of community support for our servicemen and women at our Memorial Day events,” said St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina. “We look forward to seeing everyone once again as we recognize all those who have served our nation.”

Schedule of Events

Flag Raising and Cemetery Ceremonies - 6:00 a.m.

The ceremony begins at Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., with Boy Scouts posting colors, Honor Guard and an honorary gun salute. Boy Scout Troops will lead Flag Ceremonies beginning at the South Cemetery (east side of 7th Ave., north of Madison), continue on to the North Cemetery (west side of IL 25/5th Ave, north of Johnor Ave.), then conclude at the Union Cemetery (east side of IL 25/5th Ave., north of Stonehedge Road).

Parade - 10:00 a.m.

The parade steps off at 6th and Main streets, and continues to Riverside Ave. Parade registration forms for groups that want to march in the parade are due May 15. Download a form here https://www.stcharlesil.gov/news/2018/03/27/march-memorial-day-parade.

Memorial Service - 10:45 a.m.

A special memorial service will immediately follow the parade at the Freedom Shrine along the river, west of the St. Charles Police Department, 211 N. Riverside Ave. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the St. Charles Fire Station 1, at 112 N. Riverside Ave.

The Memorial Service is led by Event Coordinator Lt. Colonel Mark Powell, (Ret). and will include Mayor Ray Rogina reading the Annual Proclamation, a Keynote Address from Colonel Jake Wyatt (Ret), and “Taps” played by resident Kevin Gaffney and his daughter Kacie, a senior at St Charles East High School.

Veteran Open House – 11:30 a.m.

The St Charles VFW, American Legion and AMVETS are hosting an open house at our new facility for all Veterans and their families – our new location is located on Rt. 31 directly across from Salerno’s on the River. Address is 311 North 2nd Street, Unit 109, St Charles, Il 60174

For more information about Memorial Day events, please contact Mark Powell at mpowell@onpathfinancial.com 630.329.6444.

Image courtesy of The City of St. Charles