Veterans Day ceremony, vigil set in Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the City of Carbondale plan to host a joint Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Carbondale.

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John P. Okerson of Harrisburg is scheduled to give the keynote address. The event starts at 2 p.m. and is open to the public. 

The ceremony honors veterans of all American and foreign wars, conflicts and military operations.

Meera Komarraju, SIU Carbondale’s interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, is scheduled to provide opening remarks. Carbondale Mayor John “Mike” Henry will present a Veterans Day proclamation.

The Veterans Memorial Plaza is at the intersection of East Main and South Washington streets, just south of the town square. In the event of rain, the ceremony will move across the street to the City Pavilion. 

The SIU Carbondale Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, ROTC, are scheduled to perform an honor salute and presentation of the nation’s colors.

Silent Vigil

For the 24 hours preceding the ceremony, a combined operation of nearly 100 members of the university’s Air Force and Army ROTC plan to conduct a tradition honoring those who have served. 

Cadets plan to stand at silent vigil beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10 at the Old Main Flagpole in remembrance of the nation’s prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. The flagpole is located on the SIU campus.

The guard change occurs every 15 minutes until 9 a.m. Nov. 11.