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 The featured speaker at both the Mount Pulaski and Steenbergen
Cemetery Memorial Day Observances will be Miss Madison Haley, Mount
Pulaski High School graduating senior, who won the 2013-2014 $30,000
National VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Competition this past year
Madison is the first to do this from the Mount Pulaski VFW Post 777,
Illinois VFW District 10 and only the third in VFW Department of
Illinois since the contest’s inception in 1948.
She received her award at this year’s National VFW Conference in
Washington D.C., where she read her highly acclaimed essay on this
year’s theme: “Why I'm Optimistic about Our Nation's Future”. In its
first year (1948), this National VFW Voice of Democracy championship
was shared by four winners, one of whom was Charles Kuralt, who went
on to become a long-time award-winning journalist for CBS.
 Both observances will also feature the traditional “Present Arms ...
Rifle Squad ... Ready ... Aim ... Fire” by the Mount Pulaski
American Legion Post 447, Mount Pulaski VFW Post 777, and Mount
Pulaski SAL Squadron 447, with firing of three rifle rounds followed
by taps blown by long-time bugler, Alan Roos; past Mount Pulaski
American Legion Post 447 Commander.
Schedule of events
The first service will be at 10 a.m. at the Mount Pulaski Cemetery
All Veterans Memorial.
The second service will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Steenburgen
Cemetery.
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Program
Master of Ceremonies – Bob McCue
Invocation by Rev. Mark Weber of the Mount Pulaski Christian Church
Mayors Welcome by Mayor Jim Fuhrer
Raising of the colors and National Anthem played by the Mount
Pulaski High School Band
Presentation of wreaths and flowers
Announcement of Girls State selections
Announcement of Boys State selection
Announcement of the American Legion Scholarship winner
Mount Pulaski Student Essay winners speak
Key Note Speaker – Madison Haley
Patriotic music played by the Mount Pulaski High School Band
Benediction by Rev. Mark Weber
American Legion Honor Guard Salute to Fallen Comrades [Text
received, PHIL BERTONI]
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