Tri-Cities Memorial Day observances
Aurora
• The Aurora Memorial Day Parade steps off at noon Monday, May 31, from South River and Benton streets. It proceeds to Broadway, Downer Place, then ends at Middle and Benton. For details, call (630) 844-4731.
Geneva
• Geneva Memorial Day events begin on Monday, May 31, with color guard rifle salute at 6 a.m. at the East Side Cemetery, off Bennett Street. It then proceeds to the State Street bridge for a ceremony with flowers strewn on the river, followed by salutes around 6:30 a.m. at the Kane County Veterans Memorial at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., and at 7 a.m. at Geneva Township Senior Center, 400 Wheeler Drive. The Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. near the Geneva Metra Station, off Third Street and continues down Third Street to the West Side Cemetery, Second and Stevens streets.
Kaneville
• The Kaneville Township 115th annual Memorial Day Program will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, at the Dave Werdin Community Center, 2S101 Harter Road, Kaneville. The guest speaker will be former resident Evan Mahan, a veteran of the Iraq war. Guest musician will be local folk singer Lee Murdock. There will be a special seating section for veterans, who will be recognized during the program. After the program, there will be a parade to the cemetery for a rifle salute and decoration of the graves. Refreshments will be served at the Community Center upon return from the cemetery. Old flags, to be retired, will be collected for disposal by the American Legion.
St. Charles
• The city of St. Charles 2010 Memorial Day activities will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, May 31, with the raising of the colors at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St. At 6:30 a.m., there will be ceremonies at South Cemetery (east side of Seventh Avenue, north of Madison), North Cemetery (west side of Route 25, north of Johnor Avenue), and Union Cemetery (east side of Route 25, north of Stonehedge Road). This will include an honor guard, a rifle salute and posting of the colors. The Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Fifth Street and continues to First Avenue. Immediately after the parade, there will be a short ceremony at the Freedom Shrine, located along the river west of the Police Department, 2 State Ave. The ceremony at the Freedom Shrine will include the following guest speakers: Mark F. Powell, Mayor Donald P. DeWitte and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster. The keynote speaker will be Jonathon Monken. Powell is finishing up his second year as Commander of the local VFW. He is a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves working with the 85th Support Command. He has served tours of duty in Germany, Texas, Central America as well as a Combat Tour during Desert Storm flying with the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions during Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Monken was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to be the 22nd director of the Illinois State Police on March 23, 2009. As agency director, he oversees a staff of 3,400 sworn and civilian personnel within four major divisions, including the third largest crime laboratory system in the world. He has served one tour of duty Kosovo and two yearlong tours in Iraq between January 2003 and December 2006. While serving with the United States Army, Captain Monken was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device for valor and the Combat Action Badge.
• Cheer on the runners of the Foot Mechanics Memorial Day Main Street Mile at 8 a.m. Monday, May 31. The race will start at Main and 14th streets and head east into downtown St. Charles. For details, visit OneMileRace.com