Veterans’ Guard 24-Hour Vigil

The 18th Annual 24-Hour Veterans Honor Guard Vigil will be held at the War Memorial in Washington Square, downtown Ottawa. The opening ceremony will be on Friday, November 6th at 4:45 pm, when area Submarine Veterans will be the Lead Honor Guard. A brief closing ceremony will begin at 5 pm on Saturday, November 7th.A combined area Color Guard will Place the Colors, followed by brief remarks, then place the Lead Honor Guard. The closing ceremonies will be at 5 pm Saturday with the Rifle Salute, TAPS, and Retirement of the Colors. Boy Scout Troop 745 will assist.Military vehicles will be on display. The Tunes of Glory Bagpipers will play appropriate music on Saturday, 3 to 5 pm. The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) will have a Field Day Exercise, where all interested can learn new skills. Flutes for vets will also demonstrate throughout the event. New this year, is a Legion vs VFW Bags Tournament on Saturday.The Legion is seeking Veteran volunteers for this event. There will be tents for the command post (thanks to Illinois Valley Labor Management), shifts are 15 minutes. Food & coffee will be available. Chaperones to help assist vets from area nursing homes are also encouraged. Family members/fellow patriots may stand duty with each veterans shift. Wear weather/military appropriate clothing. Uniforms are welcome, POW/MIA sweatshirts or Branch of Service caps are acceptable as well. Extra garrison caps will be available if needed. A Stand-by team is also needed.This event precedes the Ottawa Memorial Associations Veterans Day Ceremony at 10:15 am in the same location, on November 11th.