2019/05/20 - Mayor's Column: Memorial Day
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
Since the earliest ceremonies in small American towns following the Civil War, we have gathered on Memorial Day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. As in those early days of laying wreaths and placing flags, our national day of remembrance is often felt most deeply among the families and communities who have personally lost friends and loved ones.
The O’Fallon community gathers on Memorial Day every year to show honor and respect at a number of annual programs.
The first program on Memorial Day will be held at 9 a.m. at the City of O’Fallon Cemetery, located on North Oak Street. VFW Post 805 is organizing and sponsoring the program that includes a flag presentation, a speech by Retired Colonel Larry Strube and me, the OTHS band, and a three-volley rifle salute.
The second program will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the City of O’Fallon Veterans Monument, 737 East Wesley Drive. The guest speaker for the event will be Major General Samuel Mahaney, Chief of Staff, AMC. There will be participation from the OTHS AFJ ROTC, VFW Post 805, First Baptist Church Adult Choir, and Miss O’Fallon Adriana Scagliarini, among many others. The names of 24 newly inscribed veterans will be introduced during the ceremony. Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals and decorations to the ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, it will be held at the First Baptist Church of O’Fallon (1111 East Highway 50).
On a slightly different note, I wanted to let everyone know that over the past few weeks a number of O’Fallon’s Public Safety Employees have received awards or were chosen to be leaders in their field. All are great honors for the individuals and the community.
O’Fallon Firefighter Pete MacLaughlin has been chosen as the VFW Illinois Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter MacLaughlin was also selected as the local firefighter of the year by O’Fallon VFW Post 805. O’Fallon Police Detective Brian Gimple was awarded the State of Illinois VFW Investigator of the Year Award.
It is very impressive that we have two public safety employees – one from the fire department and one from the police department – that were chosen as some of the best in the entire State of Illinois.
O’Fallon’s Public Safety Support Services Supervisor Daryl Ostendorf was elected to serve on National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Board of Directors. Daryl was elected by the organizations’ membership to serve on its Board of Directors and help lead the association’s mission to improve 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy.
Many of our employees serve as leaders in their fields, and well as leaders in the community.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!