Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

Related Photos

  • Flags and memorials remind visitors to Mt. Vernon and the Jefferson County Courthouse of fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for their country. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS

    memorial
May 20, 2008

Memorial Day service to be held at courthouse

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Even though Memorial Day is traditionally held on May 30, its observation is held on the last Monday in May in remembrance of those who died in our nation’s service. And in following with that tradition, Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday on the Jefferson County Courthouse lawn.

“We do this every year,” said Hank Wulf, Post 141 commander. “It’s important for our youth to realize that what we have costs — freedom isn’t free. Someone has to be there to stand up for what we stand for, and unfortunately, sometimes they have to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

The keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony will be Capt, Mindy Ernst, commanding officer with Foxtrot Company with the Army National Guard here. According to Wulf, Ernst and her company recently returned from Iraq.

Also at the ceremony, the Mt. Vernon Township Chamber Choir will perform the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Gold Star mothers — mothers who have lost a son or daughter in combat — will be making a presentation.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremony at the American Legion. In case of rain, the Memorial Day ceremony will be moved to the American Legion.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11 and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on December 2000, which asks for all Americans at 3 p.m. local time “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps,’” according to www.usmemorialday.org.

Memorial Day services will also be held at Waltonville Knob Prairie Cemetery this Sunday at 1 p.m. According to information submitted by Mary Lance, Jefferson County Board Chairman Ted Buck will be the speaker. Those who attend are asked to bring lawn chairs.

Text Only
Local
  • Evening of Jazz at Cedarhurst Valentine weekend

    The 6th Annual Valentine Weekend Jazz Concert at Cedarhurst will be held Saturday, featuring the Loren Golden Ensemble.
    "This is the sixth year for the Evening of Jazz at Cedarhurst,” Sarah Sledge, Cedarhurst's Communications Director noted. "It's always a popular event when we pair jazz music with the Valentine theme."
    Golden, an attorney by profession, is a talented pianist who frequently performs with the Elgin Community College Jazz Ensemble, inormation states.  A pianist since the age of four, his love of the arts has inspired his continued involvement with music. Golden has enjoyed playing piano in variety shows, summer theatre, and clubs such as the Playboy Clubs in Chicago and Lake Geneva.

    February 9, 2012

  • District 80 receives recognition

    City Schools District 80 received a 3.8 out of a possible 4 points on its 2012 Financial Profile Designation from the Illinois State Board of Education.
    This is the second year in a row the district has received the “financial recognition” category from the state board; the district received the same score as 2011.

    February 9, 2012

  • WILLIAMS JCAAHC highlights citizens

    Karl Williams, the inbound manager at Walgreen’s Distribution, has worked there for 39 years, 20 of which has been in the King City.
    Debbie Kendrick-Hopgood followed in her grandmother’s and father’s footsteps as the head of Kendrick Paper Stock Company, and has worked there since 1980.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Start Smart program to start second season

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Department of Parks and Recreation will host a second season of Start Smart, a program that helps parents teach their children sports skills.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mayor declares February Black History Month

    MT. VERNON — February is Black History Month across the United States, but it is officially Black History Month in the city of Mt. Vernon as well.

    February 8, 2012

  • Church to host revival

    MT. VERNON — Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a three-day Black History Month Celebration/Winter Revival in conjunction with Jefferson County Crusaders for Change.

    February 8, 2012

  • City approves track construction plans

    MT. VERNON —  The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution allowing a rail spur to be built onto Continental Tire the Americas property.

    February 8, 2012

  • fire fighter Fire fighters tour with military truck

    MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Fire Department firefighter and Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Heiken brought a military tactical fire fighting truck to the 42nd Street Mt. Vernon Fire Department station on Tuesday.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2012 Citizen of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year.

    February 7, 2012

  • Crime Stoppers to release Watchdog Quarterly

    MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Crime Stoppers is gearing up to release its first Watchdog Quarterly.

    February 7, 2012