Memorial Day observance to feature firing of Civil War cannon May 30 in Aurora

The Friends of West Aurora Cemetery invites the community to a Memorial Day observance, including the firing of a Civil War cannon, on Sunday, May 30.

It will begin at 11 a.m. at the cemetery, 601 Wilder St. in Aurora. Bring a folding chair.

The program will be presented by Michael Zafran, commanding officer of the Philip H. Sheridan Camp #2, Illinois Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

More than 160 Civil War veterans are buried in the cemetery, including Albert Williams, who had escaped slavery and joined the 102nd United States Colored Infantry.

Follow the Friends of West Aurora Cemetery on Facebook.

The Friends of West Aurora Cemetery volunteers recently planted native prairie wildflowers for a pollinator and monarch butterfly way station. The wildflowers were donated by the Fox Valley Park District.

Also thanks to donors, along with a generous donation by Aurora Alderman Michael Saville, they were able to have another damaged tree removed and save the surrounding gravestones. Consider sending a tax-deductible donation to the West Aurora Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 9, North Aurora, IL 60542 to help maintain this historic cemetery.