ROCHELLE — Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day for many is a time for parades and cookouts or a three-day weekend. More importantly, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for men and women who have died while serving in the United States military.
And the celebration will be observed in Rochelle on Monday.
The Rochelle Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Rochelle City Hall on Monday.
This year’s route will begin at Sixth Street and Fifth Avenue, turn right on Lincoln Highway, right on Lincoln Avenue, right on Ninth Street, left on Eighth Avenue and end at Veteran’s Memorial at Lawnridge Cemetery.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial. Rochelle Mayor Chet Olson is the guest speaker for the ceremony.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Rochelle Township High School.
Members of the VFW would ask if anyone is interested in helping to place American flags on the veterans’ graves, to please be at the cemetery at 7:15 a.m. Monday. Help is also needed to take down the flags around 4 p.m. that day.
Creston
Woodlawn Cemetery will hold its Memorial Day service, May 29, beginning at 10 a.m. In case of rain it will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 224 E. South St.

The program will be “Remembering our World War I Veterans,” presented by Dorothy Lockard, daughter of World War I veteran, Clair Stocking.
World War I is celebrating its 100th year anniversary. The Vietnam Era will be celebrating its 50th year as well.
The program also consists of prayer, music, roll call, reading, and taps.  Everyone is welcome to attend. Veterans are encouraged to wear caps indicating their service. Please bring your lawn chairs.
White Rock
Cemetery
The White Rock Cemetery Association will hold its Memorial Day services at 9:30 a.m., Monday, May 29th, at Elim Reformed Church, 140 S. Church Road, Kings, IL.  
This year’s speaker will be Nick Bell, Chaplain (Major), U.S. Army (Ret.).  
Following the Memorial Day church service, all are invited to the nearby White Rock Cemetery to honor our veterans by the reading of Roll Call and Taps.
After the cemetery service, refreshments will be served in the church basement.  Everyone is welcome.  For information, please call 815-762-6921.
Steward
A parade of flags and flowers will start out in front of the Steward United Methodist Church and proceed to the Steward Cemetery for a short program, pausing at the memorial in front of the Steward Elementary School.
The parade will begin at approximately 12:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 28 after church services.
Roberts Armory WWII Museum
Roberts Armory WWII museum will be open to the public on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Higgins Boat will be open for viewing, weather permitting. The next opening will be Aug. 19.
To get to the museum, follow the signs on the Army truck at IL Route 251 and Intermodal Drive (approximately three miles). Many World War II artifacts are on display including tanks, trucks, cannons and Rochelle News-Leader newspapers from 1945 presenting photographs of Rochelle residents who served during World War II. Museum vehicles will also be in the Memorial Day parade.
More information is available on the Rochelle website at: http://www.enjoyrochelle.com/online-directory/what-to-do/history-attractions/robert-s-armory.html.