St. Louis Memorial Day Observance
Head downtown on Monday for the annual Memorial Day Observance at Soldiers Memorial. Operated by the Missouri Historical Society, the museum includes five outdoor memorials for St. Louisans who sacrificed their lives in military service. The morning’s events begin at 10 a.m. with a wreath laying ceremony. Yellow carnations will be available for attendees to place at the sites. Enjoy performances of patriotic musical favorites. While you’re there, take in the new exhibition Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy, celebrating the nation’s 250thbirthday. Soldiers Memorial, 1315 Chestnut.
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O’Fallon Memorial Day Ceremony
Veterans Memorial Walk in O’Fallon, Missouri, opened in 2001, and it’s a site worth visiting anytime. It features five large slabs representing each branch of the military, cast bronze boots “marching,” and an eternal flame. On Memorial Day, honor the fallen starting at 11 a.m. This year’s ceremony includes the unveiling of a new Path of Heroes sign. 800 Belleau Creek Road, O’Fallon, Missouri.
In historic Belleville, Illinois, recognize and honor service members with an annual parade. It steps off from North 3rd street and West A Street at 10 a.m. on Monday and heads east on Main Street to Mascoutah Avenue and then to Walnut Hill Cemetery, where the Memorial Day Ceremony takes place with support from the Belleville Memoria Day Association. There’s a 5K race beforehand, “Honoring the Legacy,” that starts at 8:45 a.m. and benefits Trail Life and American Heritage Girl Troops IL-0078.
St. Charles County
At St. Charles Memorial Gardens (3950 W. Clay, St. Charles) on Sunday, the mood is both festive and reverent. Starting at noon, enjoy food, drinks, face-painting, and more at the cemetery. At 2 p.m., the ceremony begins, honoring veterans who have passed in the last year. Families will be invited to place a poppy on a wreath to honor them. On Monday, the Lake Saint Louis Veterans Committee honors soldiers at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 200 Civic Center Drive, at 9 a.m.
The O’Fallon Veteran’s Monument in O’Fallon, Illinois, consists of 15 pillars in the shape of a star. New names are added twice per year, and an onsite kiosk can direct guests to included veterans’ names. On Memorial Day, bring lawn chairs or blankets for a ceremony at 11:30 a.m., with patriotic music starting at 11:15 a.m.
