Civil War Monument Dedication is Saturday

Area residents are reminded of the dedication of the new Civil War Monument in Keyes Park Saturday at noon which honors the memory of the more than 90 local men who died in that war.

Civil War reenactors will set up a Civil War encampment in the center of the park starting at approximately 9 a.m. The day will include the firing of an authentic Parrot 10-pound civil war cannon every half hour. The cannon is owned by Allen Winthrop from Elkville. The noon service will include an opening prayer, remarks by Mayor John Rednour or Commissioner Rex Duncan, remarks by monument creator and project director Joe Stephens, the reading of a short biography of Capt. Guy Carlton Ward from Du Quoin, the reading of the names on the monument, the VFW honor guard salute, firing of the cannon and removal of the flag from the monument and the playing of TAPS. The program will last between 30 and 40 minutes.