What to know about Springfield Veterans Day parade returning after hiatus

Nov. 5—After a two-year hiatus because of weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Veterans Day parade in downtown Springfield is set to return Nov. 11.

It will step off from 11th Street and Capitol Avenue at 10 a.m. The parade will proceed west on Capitol to the state Capitol.

Sam Montalbano, a Korean War veteran who helped resurrect the Veterans Day parade in recent years, will serve as the grand marshal.

A program and a free lunch for veterans will be held after the parade at Veterans of Foreign Wars Northenders Post 10302, 2349 Stockyard Road. Montalbano will be the keynote speaker.

There are 20 units taking part in the parade so far, said organizer Phil Brown, commander with the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County.

That includes marching bands from all three of Springfield 's public high schools —Lanphier, Southeast and Springfield — floats and military vehicles, Brown said.

The Interveterans Council also organizes the veterans parade at Illinois State Fair, Brown said.

"We try to spread the word about what veterans organizations are doing in the county," Brown explained. "If VFW Post 10302 has a special event coming up, we'll send an email blast out to every other organization. We try to be the focal point of the veterans organizations in Sangamon County."

The Interveterans Burial Detail provides funeral honors for veterans.

Brown, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, said he partnered with Crystal Womack, the senior programs manager at Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and Bobby Edwards, a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer, in putting Thursday's parade together.

Montalbano, 92, has volunteered with a number of veterans groups, including the Italian American War Veterans, the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight and the Interveterans Burial Detail.

Last Veterans Day, a flagpole in Montalbano's name was dedicated outside Little Flower Catholic Church and School in Springfield.

Montalbano said he took over helping organize the parade about 10 years ago. He's happy others have stepped up to make it a reality this year.

"Each year I tried to improve (the parade) and it worked out pretty well," Montalbano said. "I was afraid nobody would do and Phil stepped up there. I want them to keep it going for the veterans' sake."

Montalbano said it was "quite an honor (being named grand marshal). I was surprised, but I appreciate it."

Inclement weather scuttled the 2019 parade while the COVID pandemic led to the cancellation of last year's parade.

"It is great to be back," Brown said. "I'm very glad to get the opportunity, to carry on Sam's legacy. The parade truly is his legacy."

Closings/Openings

Veterans Day is a federal holiday meaning all federal buildings and courts will be closed Thursday. All post offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

State of Illinois, Sangamon County and city of Springfield workers will observe Thursday as a holiday. Springfield District 186 schools are closed.

University of Illinois Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College and Blackburn College will all be in session. There will be no classes at Midwest Technical Institute'sSpringfield campus.

Sangamon Mass Transit District buses will run regular schedules on Thursday.

Military band at ALPLM

The Airlifter Brass, part of the U.S Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base, will perform at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St.

The ensemble is made up of two trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba, plus percussion.

A memorial flame will burn outside the museum Thursday. The holder features the emblems of America's military branches and quotes from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Military veterans and active-duty personnel will be admitted to the museum free of charge Thursday, but should bring some form of military identification.

Great War Encampment

About 50 living historians from around the Midwest will demonstrate raids and skirmishes around recreated trenches and fighting positions at the Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

RIchard Schachtsiek of the museum will talk about World War I uniforms at 11 a.m. while Chris McDonald, a professor of political science at Lincoln Land Community College, will talk about World War I weapons at 1 p.m.

There will also be mortar and medical displays throughout the day.

All events are free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Illinois.State.Military.Museum.

LLCC Salute

Lincoln Land Community College's 26th annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held in the A. Lincoln Commons at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The ceremony is sponsored by LLCC Student Life and honors all veterans, including LLCC faculty, staff and students who served in the armed forces.

Darian Hayes, a Lincoln Land student and Private First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve, will be the speaker.

Following the brief ceremony, refreshments will be served inside the Commons. The public is invited. For more information, visit www.llcc.edu.

UIS flag raising

The University of Illinois Springfield will conduct its Veterans Day flag raising ceremony at the Student Life Plaza, on the east side of the campus, at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The event will include brief remarks from Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney and music by the UIS Music Camerata Scholars.

Immediately following the flag raising will be a keynote address from Alicia Tate-Nadeau, acting director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Tate-Nadeau was the first woman to be promoted to brigadier general in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Refreshments will be served.

Trees around the UIS campus again will be adorned with yellow ribbons.

UIS students will begin tying the ribbons on Monday.

Avenue of Flags

The Jacksonville Lions Club has resurrected its Avenue of Flags at Community Park, 1309 S. Main St.

The flags are being raised at 5 p.m. Friday and will be lowered at 5 p.m. on Nov. 12.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

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