City of O’Fallon holds annual Memorial Day services honoring veterans
More than 150 spectators attended a special Memorial Day program at the O’Fallon Veterans’ Monument sponsored by the city and the monument association this year.
Twenty newly inscribed names were read and the guest speaker was Maj. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, director of operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base.
Col. John “Woody” Almind, retired, was the master of ceremonies and recognized retired Maj. Gen. Don Bennett, a World War II veteran who was present. Other participants included Mayor Herb Roach, welcome; the O’Fallon Township High School Air Force Junior ROTC, posting of colors, folding of flag, and laying of wreath; retired Col. Phil Goodwin, pledge of allegiance; OTHS senior Athena King, national anthem; Lt. Col. Michael M. Howard, an Air Force chaplain, invocation; Sondra Marston, who read 20 names of newly inscribed on the “Strength” pillar; VFW Post 805, who lowered the American and POW/MIA flags and raised new ones at the center; USAF Honor Guard Rifle Team, three-rifle volley; First Baptist Church O’Fallon adult choir; Laurie Hartung, who played the bagpipe; and Nathanial Boston, taps.
The new names placed on the monument’s Strength pillar were: David Lame, William J. Leeper, William W. Leeper, John P. Wilson, Amy E. Venable-Miler; Joshua E. Venable; Joseph P. Maher, Deanna L. Schwaegel-Buersken, Michael B. Gilreath, David C. Schutt, Greg Buckalew, Peter Tully, Robert Wilson, Marvin E. Brinkley, Jeffrey M. Wild, Seth M. Wild, Sara J. Barkley, Roger E. Rader, Cletus W. Schau and Taren L. Schau.
For more information about the monument, visit www.ofallonveteransmonument.org
Another ceremony was conducted that morning at the O’Fallon City Cemetery, sponsored by the O’Fallon VFW Post 805.
