The community is encouraged to gather on Memorial Day for a parade and program in DeKalb to honor military service members who gave their lives in service to our country.
Both the parade and program will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.
The parade steps off at 9 a.m. at North Third and Locust Street in downtown DeKalb. The parade will go west down Locust Street, which was dedicated as DeKalb’s Honorary Veterans Way in 2020. Entries will then march north on Linden Place before the parade concludes behind the Ellwood House.
Joining local veterans’ organizations in the parade will be the DeKalb High School Marching Barbs, the Huntley and Clinton Rosette Marching Band, Cub Scouts and Scouts from the Potawatomi District, Three Fires Council and more community groups.
U.S. Army Veteran and former DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith will be the keynote speaker for the Memorial Day program on the Ellwood House lawn at 9:30 a.m. Musical numbers will be performed by Terri Crain Goodman, Mike Tritle, Mark Baldin, Michael Embry and the Firefighter Highland Guard of DeKalb.
Following the program, free first-floor tours of the Ellwood Mansion will be offered.
The Memorial Day activities are a collaboration of the City of DeKalb, DeKalb Park District, Ellwood House Museum and local veterans’ organizations.
Photo caption: DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd and Mayor Cohen Barnes drive on Linden Place as part of the 2022 Memorial Day parade.