MOUND CITY, ILLINOIS (WSIL) -- As we approach the holiday on Monday, more events to honor our nation's fallen heroes are taking place across the region.
One of those includes a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Mound City starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021. It's being put on by the Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission.Â
This is the second year that COVID restrictions have prevented the ceremony from being held at the national cemetery.Â
The commission's Presidents Thomas Mueller says regardless of the location this time of year is about paying tribute to the military members who died while paving the way for what the country is today.Â
"The main thing is to honor the veterans on this day," he says. "Those who have gone on before us because freedom isn't free, and we would like for you to remember that."
Right after the ceremony, guests can enjoy an old-fashioned picnic at the Rawlings Reservation.
Commission member and history teacher Darrel Dexter says it's a historic home originally for in 1857 and was the second building erected in Mound City after a hotel.
"It was used as a store by General Rawlings," Dexter explains. "Then when the town was started he was named postmaster, and he kept the post office in the bottom part of his house. "
The general store was also downstairs, and Rawlings and his family lived on the top floor.
Dexter says its well documented that during the Civil War sailors were quartered there due to its close proximity to the naval yard.
"The naval yard built iron clads or at least three or four of the iron clads that were used in the Civil way," he adds. "The USS Cairo was built here, which was sunk at Vicksburg. The Mound City was built here and another called the USS Cincinnati."
The Rawlings home has been donated to the Mound City National Cemetery Preservation Commission for its museum and the group is currently working on restoring the building and exhibits.
A guest speaker from Tennessee will also attend the picnic and will portray Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant. Organizers encourage attendees to dress in period clothing if they wish.
The picnic is located at 315 South 4th street just a few blocks from Veterans Park.
More information can be found .
