St. Charles Memorial Day Parade features March of Honor for local veterans

The City Council of Saint Charles, Illinois, convened on May 19, 2025, to discuss the upcoming Memorial Day events and community activities planned for May 26. The meeting highlighted a series of ceremonies and a parade designed to honor local veterans and foster community spirit.

The day’s activities will commence at 6 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony at the Baker Center, accompanied by a 21-round rifle volley. Following this, participants will proceed to the South Cemetery at the intersection of South Seventh Avenue and Madison Avenue for a similar ceremony. The procession will continue north on Fifth Avenue to two additional cemeteries near Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where the ceremonies will be repeated.

At 7:30 a.m., a Veterans Community Breakfast Fundraiser will take place at Baker Memorial Church on West Main Street. The main event, the Memorial Day Parade, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. from the intersection of Sixth and Main Streets. The parade will feature local organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and bands from St. Charles East and St. Charles North, along with military vehicles.

A new element introduced this year is the "March of Honor," coordinated by Mark Powell, a member of local veterans' organizations. This initiative invites all citizens of St. Charles to participate in a community-wide tribute to over 1,300 veterans buried in local cemeteries. Participants are encouraged to bring their own American flags and join the march as a demonstration of respect and gratitude for those who have served.

The meeting concluded with a call for community involvement, emphasizing the importance of unity and remembrance. Participants are asked to gather at 6 and Walnut Street by 9 a.m. for the parade, with parking available at Thompson Middle School. The council expressed appreciation for the community's support and encouraged everyone to join in honoring the fallen on this significant day.