Veterans. Thank you for your service!

Nearly every city and village in ILLINOISouth has a memorial honoring those who have served our country in the military. Often, it’s located at a park as in Germantown, O’Fallon, Vandalia, Olney and Steeleville, and sometimes in a central location like the courthouse or public square. No matter the location, it’s an important reminder that our freedom comes at a price.

Jasper County Flags Fly for Veterans

On November 11, no matter the weather, the grounds of the Jasper County Courthouse will be covered with more than 500 American flags. All the flags are displayed on individual flagpoles and honor veterans who have a connection to Jasper County. Each one is marked with the name of a member of the Armed Forces and the war in which they fought (from the War of 1812 – present), or honor a POW, a veteran killed or missing in action, or someone on active duty now. Many of the flags were originally draped over a coffin, but new ones are purchased each year to recognize a veteran living or dead. There is even a special group of flags for nurses who served. This year, two married couples have flags dedicated to them (a first!).

The American Legion Post #20 has been collecting and putting up the flags on Veterans Day for the past 20+ years. They also take them down and store them for the next Veterans Day. In addition to the flag display, there is a program beginning at 10:30am featuring a local school band, a guest speaker and a group photo of all the veterans present. Following that is a ham & bean lunch. Even if you don’t know anyone in Jasper County, the display will make your heart sing!

Jasper County Courthouse, 100 W Jourdan St # 1, Newton American Legion Post #20, 618-783-2622

Crosses Honor Fallen Veterans

Every national cemetery has rows and rows of white crosses or headstones marking the graves of fallen heroes. Even if no one there is known to you, the sight is a stark reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. In 1998, the owner of Pulliam Funeral Home in Oblong decided to erect white crosses on the grounds of his business on Veterans

Day to honor Crawford County’s fallen soldiers. Members of the American Legion make the crosses - some have photos, all have names. This year, 320+ crosses will be placed on display on November 11. At 11:00 a.m., there will be a Veterans Observance Color Guard and all the names will be read. What a beautiful and moving tribute!

Facebook; 302 E. Main, Oblong; 618-592-4221

75 Years of the G.I. Bill

On a day in early November, 1943, eight WWI veterans met for dinner at the American Legion Post 128 in Salem, IL. After the meal, they discussed their ideas of what the country should be doing to help the troops who came home after fighting in WWII. They each grabbed napkins and made notes. Since they knew firsthand the challenges for post-war vets, they knew they would need healthcare, educational opportunities, help financing a home, job training, and more.

One of the men at the table was former Illinois Governor John Stelle from McLeansboro. He gathered up all the napkins and took them to Washington, D.C. to show to American Legion members there. They put together a committee to present their proposal to Congress for a bill that would encompass all their suggestions. Governor Stelle was Chairman of the

committee, and proudly watched a year later when President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law the legislation that came to be known as the G.I. Bill of Rights.

In June, 1958, Salem was officially named the Birthplace of the G. I. Bill of Rights. June 22, 2019, was the 75th Anniversary of the actual signing of the Bill; however, the anniversary celebrations began November 4, 2018, to honor that dinner where eight dedicated men began the process to get benefits for their fellow veterans. And that table where it all began now hangs on the wall of the American Legion Post 128 in Salem.

American Legion, 1001 E. Main St., 618-548-0128; Facebook