Atlanta community Memorial Day celebration to be May 31st

[May 18, 2021]  On Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, the community of Atlanta, will pause to remember and reflect upon the service and sacrifices made by all men and women who have served or who are currently serving in the U.S. military.

Reserved seating will be available for veterans who will be recognized by the decade of their service during the program. All living veterans are invited and encouraged to attend as the community honors them, as well as pays posthumous tribute to others who have served, especially those who have lost their lives in combat during the country’s wars. New this year will be a display of signs listing the names of veterans who are represented by the flags flown throughout the community.

There will be no bleacher seating this year, and members of the public are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and to follow current CDC mask guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

The Memorial Day Observance will begin with a concert by the Atlanta Band at 9:30 a.m. on the lawn of the Atlanta Public Library, 100 Race Street, in downtown Atlanta.

The Recognition of Veterans event will begin at 10:00 a.m. featuring guest speaker Colonel Shawn Green who is currently assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard, 183rd Wing, in Springfield. Colonel Green commands 373 Airmen and officers across six organizations and is responsible for providing fully trained Airmen to respond to state and national contingencies supporting security, engineering, communications, supplies, equipment, food, lodging, and care of personnel. He is the son of Harold and Georgia Green of Atlanta.

In case of inclement weather, the Memorial Day Observance will be canceled.

For more information contact Lori Cotton, 309-846-5285.

[Cathy Maciariello]