Memorial Day events set throughout area Holiday to be observed Monday, May 25

Memorial Day programs are planned throughout the region.

Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25.

Cobden

The Village of Cobden is planning to conduct a Memorial Day service.

The service is set for 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Cobden Cemetery.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the multipurpose room at the Cobden Elementary School.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 will provide an honor guard and a bugler for "Taps."

The program also is scheduled to include a speech by Cobden village president Molly Beckley, patriotic songs, students leading the Pledge of Allegiance, the reading of a poem and a sermon honoring deceased veterans to be delivered by village trustee David Stewart.

Refreshments will be served by the Cobden Women's Club in the Cobden Cemetery's chapel building.

Alto Pass

A Memorial Day observance is planned Monday, May 25, at the Alto Pass Cemetery in Alto Pass. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m.

The program will include an honor roll of veterans who died during the past year and a short service given by the Rev. Cliff Morehead. He is pastor of the Congregational Church in Alto Pass.

"Taps" will be performed by Joe Flamm.

Anna VFW Post

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 plans to host a Memorial Day service Monday, May 25.

The service will be at 11 a.m. at the post home, which is located off old U.S. Route 51 in the Crowell Heights area just north of Anna.

Mound City National Cemetery

An annual Memorial Day program is planned at the Mound City National Cemetery.

The program is scheduled Saturday, May 23.

The program is scheduled to begin with a concert at 9:30 a.m. by the Independent Silver Band from Mt. Vernon. 

The annual program honors all veterans for their dedication, service and sacrifices for the freedom of the people of the United States.

The program will start at 10 a.m. with a call to order by the master of ceremonies George Nelson.

Nelson is a member of the Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission. 

Presentation of colors will be given by the Army National Guard from Marion.

A solemn march into the cemetery will include veterans groups, such as the VFW, AmVets, the American Legion, Sons of Union  Veterans, Sons of the Confederacy, and the organizations' ladies auxiliaries.  

Earl Webb of Harrisburg will be portraying Abraham Lincoln. Webb is a retired Baptist pastor and has been portraying Lincoln since 2000. 

The guest speaker is scheduled to be retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler, who grew up in Perks.

Trexler's service included duties with NATO, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces Command, Air Education and Training Command and Air Force Logistics Command. 

Trexler has received numerous major awards and decorations and served the country in the Air Force for over 35 years before retiring in 2007 to his present home in Franklin, Tenn.

Richard Kuenneke of Oakview Road Media and a local historian will give a presentation on the ironclad gunboats of the Civil War and those who served aboard them. 

The program will also include a roll call reading of names to honor deceased veterans from past wars, laying of the wreaths, and a rifle and cannon salute. 

The national anthem will be sung by Mrs. John G. Holland.  Anita Bugg will be performing a solo. Sherry Miller will be reciting "In Flanders Fields."

The invocation will be presented by L. Don Henson. The benediction will be given by Nan Ellis. 

The program will conclude with the cannon salute and the playing of "Taps."

A shuttle service is scheduled to run from St. Mary’s Church in Mound City to the cemetery, beginning at 9 a.m., with the last pickup at 9:45 a.m. 

For more information, contact Clayton Bierbuam of the Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission at 618-748-9428 or Morrissa Clanahan at 618-748-9640.

Illinois Veterans Home, Anna

The Illinois Veterans Home in Anna plans to have a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday, May 30.

The program is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. with a posting of the colors. A cookout and music will follow the program.

Vienna ceremony

A memorial day program is planned at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Honor Roll Wall on the lawn of the Carnegie Library in Vienna.

The program will be sponsored by the Daniel Chapman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.