The sounds of the Galesburg High School Marching Band were one of many heard yesterday as citizens lined Main and Cherry Streets in downtown Galesburg for the annual Memorial Day Parade.
The conclusion of the parade arrived at the Knox County Courthouse, where a memorial ceremony was held for fallen veterans.
Local VFW Qaurtermaster Mike Lummis joined with various other veterans to read aloud the names of the 224 vets who died within Knox County over the last year.
Lummis spoke to a crowd outside of the courthouse. He reiterated the history and purpose of the day: to honor those who have perished.
“Since the days of the Civil War, Americans have gathered on Memorial Day to remember and to pay tribute to all of those who have fought and given up the precious gift of life, so that we could live free,” says Lummis.
A 21–gun salute and taps followed the reading. Yesterday’s ceremonies had two grand marshals of the parade. Kimberly Myers and Gloria Finley presided over the events. Myers and Finley are both army veterans, and currently work for the Knox County Veterans Assistance Commission.
Festivities concluded at the local VFW Post on Michigan Avenue, where a luncheon and open house was held.
