Memorial Day Services Around the County
Memorial Day services will be held in Waterloo, Columbia, Hecker, Valmeyer and Dupo.
The Waterloo VFW and Waterloo American Legion are hosting a Memorial Day program on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn starting at 11 a.m. Monday.
Patriotic musical selections will be performed by the Waterloo Municipal Band and Kaskaskia Trail Chorus, with remarks offered by city, VFW and Legion officials.
This year’s Memorial Day address will be offered by Dustin Row of Columbia, a veteran who founded the Songs4Soldiers organization that assists local veterans in need.
In case of inclement weather, the program will take place inside the VFW hall at 406 Veterans Drive.
Vietnam War veterans will receive special recognition at the Memorial Day program to take place 10 a.m. Monday at the Columbia American Legion hall.
The featured speaker will be Claudia Asselmeier, who is a local Daughters of the American Revolution official.
Patriotic musical selections will be performed by the Belleville Community Band, with remarks offered by city and American Legion officials.
The traditional placing of the wreath at the Dough Boy Monument will take place immediately following the ceremony.
A Memorial Day program will take place 10 a.m. Monday at St. Augustine’s Catholic Cemetery in Hecker.
The program will feature musical performances by Steve Davis. The featured speaker will be retired Air Force Col. Austin Eugene Smith. Cub Scout Pack 323 from Waterloo, the Parks Air College Color Guard & Drill Team and St. Augustine’s Choir are also part of the program.
There will be a dove release and special recognition of local veterans, both living and deceased.
Visitors can also enjoy an air show and patriotic motorcycle parade. There will also be a Civil War display featuring a military helmet, medal display and Civil War cannon.
In case of rain, the event will be held at Hecker Community Center.
Valmeyer American Legion Post 901 will hold Memorial Day services 10 a.m. Monday at the Legion post.
The featured speaker this year will be retired Air Force Col. Forrest Keaton. He spent 33 years in the Judge Advocate Corps, serving at such places as Torrejon, Spain and Columbus, Altus, Scott and Barksdale Air Force bases. He was a member of the adjunct faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
American Legion Prairie Du Pont Post 485 in Dupo will host Memorial Day services at 11 a.m., at the post, 200 S. 5th Street, Dupo.
The public is invited to attend any of these services.