Monday's Veterans Day parade canceled for downtown Springfield

Nov. 8--The annual Veterans Day parade scheduled for Monday in downtown Springfield has been canceled.

Parade organizer and Korean War Army veteran Sam Montalbano of Springfield called off the parade due to the forecast of inclement weather for Monday.

"I've been pondering it. I run the parade, and the weather keeps saying worse and worse and worse. They're saying now 30 degrees, blustering winds, possibly snow," Montalbano said.

"I'm honoring the World War II veterans who are now in their 90s, and the three high school bands that were supposed to play. I've notified them. I don't think they can blow on their instruments at 30 degrees, so I thought weather-wise, I'd better cancel because I don't think the parents would be wanting their little kids to come out and see a parade in that (weather)."

A news release from the city of Springfield issued Friday morning noted that parade organizers hope to reschedule the parade at a later date but at this time, no decision has been made.

Other Veterans Day-related events scheduled for the coming days include:

CLOSURES: State of Illinois, Sangamon County and City of Springfield workers will be observing Monday as a holiday. Springfield District 186 schools are closed.

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 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will be a World War I ambulance car and vendors selling WWI original memorabilia and reproductions. The day features lectures and book signings by Chris McDonald at 11 a.m. and Jim Bilder at 1:30 p.m. All events are free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Illinois.State.Military.Museum.

CAMP BUTLER: Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Road, will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday at the Administration Building. The keynote speaker is U.S. Army Cpt. Ted Fahlsing.

WAVERLY MEMORIAL: Families of 24 men from the community killed during World War II will take part in a special Veterans Day ceremony at the Waverly Veterans Memorial at 9:30 a.m. Monday. For more information, visit BoysFromWaverly.com.

SOUP FUNDRAISER: Spring Street Veterans Renaissance, 209 West Scarritt St., will hold an Open House and Soup Dinner Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Dinners and quart/family servings available. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Spring-Street-Veterans-Renaissance.

FREE DINNERS: American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave., will have free ham and beans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m or until it is gone Monday. Everyone is invited. Hy-Vee, 2115 S MacArthur Blvd., is offering all veterans and active-duty military members a free breakfast Monday. Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery and Eatery, 500 S. Sixth St., will be offering a free meal to veterans and active military personnel from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday.

LLCC SALUTE: Lincoln Land Community College's 24th annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held outside of the A. Lincoln Commons Monday at noon. The ceremony is sponsored by LLCC Student Life and honors all veterans, including LLCC faculty, staff and students who served in the armed forces. Following the brief ceremony, refreshments will be served inside the Commons. For more information, visit www.llcc.edu.

J.R. MARTINEZ: Wounded U.S. Army veteran and "Dancing With the Stars" champion J.R. Martinez, who has carved out a career as an actor and author, will speak at a free public event at the University of Illinois Springfield Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m. Monday. At 9 a.m. Monday, there will be a flag-raising ceremony in front of the UIS Public Affairs Center. Trees on University Drive are decorated with yellow ribbons. For more information, visit www.uis.edu.

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