Poshard to speak during Kaskaskia July 4 event

Glenn Poshard will present a speech, "Let Freedom Ring," during the Bicentennial July Fourth Celebration at Kaskaskia, beginning at 1 p.m.

Poshard was born and raised on a family farm in southeastern Illinois. He served in the United States Army from 1962-65, receiving a meritorious commendation for outstanding service as a member of the First Cavalry Division in Korea.

He is a three degree graduate from Southern Illinois University, receiving his doctoral degree in the Administration of Higher Education in 1984, the same year he was appointed to the Illinois State Senate. He served in the Senate from 1984-89 and was elected to congress in 1989. He served five terms in the U.S. Congress before being elected the democrat nominee for Governor in 1998.

He narrowly lost the governorship to George Ryan and later became Vice Chancellor for Administration, Chairman of the board of trustees, and President of his alma mater from 2006-2014, the second longest serving president of the SIU system.

He and his wife Jo, an elementary teacher for 34 years, founded the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children in 1999 and for the past 19 years have cared for thousands of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in southern Illinois. He has a son Dennis, a daughter Kristen, and four outstanding grandchildren, Maddie, America, Tucker, and Harry.

Media personality and former Rams football player Jackie Smith also make a cameo appearance. and a Shadrach Bond impersonator, Ed Fisher, will enlighten the audience with highlights of 200 years ago.

A special Bicentennial postal cancellation and plate lunches plus, will be available beginning at 11 a.m.

A Kaskaskia Bicentennial Parade beginning at noon circling the town will exhibit life as we know it after 200 years.