Veterans groups invite the public to pay tribute on Memorial Day

Local veterans organizations are inviting the community to help pay tribute to fallen comrades whose sacrifices paved the way for American freedoms this Memorial Day.

A special service will be held at 12:45 p.m. Monday at the St. Francois County Courthouse near the south side entryway.

The American Legion Post 416 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Norman L. Rigdon Post 5896, both of Farmington, along with the Farmington High School U.S. Air Force JROTC Color Guard and bugler will lead the day’s ceremonies with several observance stops at area cemeteries, along with the Madison County and St. Francois County Courthouses.

The route will begin at Odd Fellows Cemetery at 6:45 a.m. on Ste. Genevieve Ave. in Farmington and conclude at the VFW post at 1 p.m., on Karsch Blvd. in Farmington.

The following is a list of intermediary stops at cemeteries (in St. Francois and Madison Counties) on the observance route in order: Lutheran, Hill View Memorial Garden, Copenhagen, William Murphy, Knights of Pythius, New Calvary, Masonic (on S. Henry St.), Old Calvary, Libertyville, Knob Lick, Pendleton, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF, Doe Run), Alexander, Park View, Three Rivers, and Masonic (Colony Church Rd.).

All veterans organizations are welcome to attend the courthouse services and place their own memorial wreaths.

The public is invited to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday.

Traci M. Black is a reporter for the Democrat News and can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at tblack@democratnewsonline.com.