St. Charles will honor Memorial Day on Monday, May 26. Activities include cemetery ceremonies, a parade, and a memorial service.
Flag Raising and Cemetery Ceremonies – 6am
The ceremony begins at Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., with the Boy Scouts posting colors, an Honor Guard and an honorary gun salute. Boy Scout Troops will then 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).
Veterans Community Breakfast Fundraiser – 7am – 9am
The St Charles Veterans are hosting a Veterans Community Breakfast Fundraiser at Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave. All are invited; the cost is $5 per person. For all current and former fire, police, uniformed scouts, emergency services, and military/veterans, the breakfast is FREE as a thank you for your service.
Parade and March of Honor- 10am
“This Memorial Day, we’re starting a new tradition called the March of Honor,” said event organizer Lt. Colonel Mark Powell, (Ret.). “We are inviting the community to walk in the parade as a tribute to the 1,300+ veterans buried in our local cemeteries. Anyone is invited to walk. The first 100 people who show up with an American flag to hold (flags will not be provided) at 9 a.m., at 6th & Walnut streets will be included in the parade.”
The parade steps off at 6th and Main streets, and continues to Riverside Ave.
Memorial Service – 10:45am
A special memorial service will immediately follow the parade at the Freedom Shrine along the river, west of the former 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 will include Mayor Clint Hull reading the Annual Proclamation, a Keynote Address, and “Taps” will be played. For more information, contact Powell at mark.powell6444@gmail.com or 630.329.6444.
