Area marks Memorial Day '25

A display at Pontiac's Southside Cemetery on Monday morning.

Solemn remembrances were held throughout Central Illinois Monday to commemorate Memorial Day.

At Pontiac’s Southside Cemetery, a crowd gathered to hear various speakers and music from the Pontiac Township High School band. Emcee Mick Peterson described the day as the most expensive one on the calendar.

“This is in honor of those who paid in life and blood,” Peterson said. “This is not simply a day off, this is a day to remember. Today we celebrate freedom.”

First Christian Church Pastor Ginger Harris provided the invocation and benediction.

“We stand here in spirit with those who did not get to come home,” she stated.

United States Army First Sergeant Monte Andrews was the speaker for Pontiac’s ceremony. He served in the U.S. Army and Navy Reserve from 1983 to 1989 and in the Minnesota National Guard, Indiana National Guard and the Army Reserve from 2005 to 2024. He was twice deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 to 2008 and to Kuwait and Afghanistan again in 2019 and 2020.

Andrews is originally from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area but has called Pontiac home for the last 18 years.

He acknowledged all veterans that sacrificed for their country. Andrews shared the local number of people lost in various wars. Over 70 men from Pontiac died in the Civil War, 276 Illinois men were killed in the Spanish-American War, at least 10 from Pontiac were lost in World War I and 87 were killed from Livingston County in World War II.

“We honor all those who lost their lives during that horrific war.”

Andrews recalled his time stationed at Kandahar Air Base.

“We would stand at attention and salute while the haunting music of Amazing Grace was played by a bagpipe player,” he said.

The pain of losing a loved one in a war has never become easier, according to Andrews.

Graceland Cemetery in Fairbury was the site for that city’s Memorial Day ceremony. During the invocation, Steve Curl urged everyone to remember the devotion of departed comrades.

“Teach us to honor them by cherishing the ideals for which they fought,” Curl said.

Fairbury American Legion Commander Gerry Brandt was the featured speaker. He has seen first-hand the power of the day.

“It’s a day I fear too many of our fellow Americans have forgotten,” noted Brandt.

Brandt said we must remember that freedom is not free.

Veteran Chuck Francis was the guest speaker during the Chenoa Memorial Day Service at Chenoa Cemetery. Francis explained the history behind the holiday, which was initially referred to as Decoration Day when the graves of Confederate soldiers were decorated.

Later, Union Army veteran graves were decorated as well – a sign of forgiveness from a Civil War which divided the country.

“For 2,000 years, world history has reported an onslaught of wars,” Francis said.

Francis feels the spirit of Memorial Day is carried in the heart and mind of everyone in attendance. He said veterans have stepped-up to secure what the Constitution calls our “blessings of liberty.”

Pastor David Heath gave the invocation at Chenoa.

“We come to you today Lord thanking you for this beautiful day to celebrate the lives of those who have served.”

A wreath-laying ceremony in Pontiac for Memorial Day.

Crowds gather at Graceland Cemetery in Fairbury for the Memorial Day service.