St. Charles to dedicate parking lot on Memorial Day

Show your respect for our troops who have given their lives in service to our country at the St. Charles Memorial Day ceremonies and parade, set for Monday, May 26. Several activities are scheduled, beginning at 6 a.m. and continuing throughout the morning.

Also this year, following the 10:45 a.m. Memorial Ceremony at the Freedom Shrine, there will be a special dedication of the parking lot at 119 N. 3rd St., the site of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars. The "City of St. Charles Veterans Parking Lot" will be dedicated to recognize Alderman Jim Martin in honor of his military service, commitment to serving St. Charles as Alderman for more than 35 years, and overall civic involvement.

Schedule of events

6 a.m.: Flag raising, Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St.

6:30 a.m.: Cemetery ceremonies. Boy Scouts from Troop 1 will place flags on the grave sites of veterans at each of the cemeteries in St. Charles. Ceremonies include an honor guard, firing squad and posting of colors. They will begin at the South Cemetery (east side of 7th Avenue, north of Madison), continue on to North Cemetery (west side of Route 25, north of Johnor Avenue), then conclude at the Union Cemetery (east side of Route 25, north of Stonehedge Road).

10 a.m.: Parade. Steps off at 6th and Main streets, and continues to Riverside Avenue.

10:45 a.m. A special memorial ceremony will immediately follow the parade at the Freedom Shrine, along the river, west of the St. Charles Police Department, 211 N. Riverside Ave. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the St. Charles Fire Station 1, at 112 N. Riverside Ave.

For information about Memorial Day events, contact Mark Powell, VFW Officer, at (630) 587-6444 or mark.powell@edwardjones.com.