A display of 2,100 American flags is one way people are saluting Veterans Day in the Quad Cities tomorrow. Events begin in the morning, with parades, school assemblies, and the annual Veterans Day program at the Rock Island National Cemetery.
John Kessler, from the Noon Optimist Club, says boy scout and girl scout troops will put up the US flags throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, and Blue Grass.
Five times a year, the Noon Optimist Club sells flag subscriptions, and raises over $60,000 to help at-risk children in the Quad Cities.
Residents will see the flags while heading to several Veterans Day events. They include the annual parade in downtown Davenport, at 11 am, the annual commemoration in the National Cemetery on Arsenal Island, at 1 pm, and ceremonies sponsored by VFW posts, American Legion halls, and cities and service clubs - in Aledo, Silvis, Galva, Milan, East Moline, Bettendorf, Moline, and Davenport.
And students will also be honoring veterans while in school tomorrow. This is the first year United Township High School is holding classes on the holiday.
Full Schedule:
9:30 am: Monmouth Veterans Day event, program includes Monmouth College band, remarks from Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, and a Salute and Taps for fallen veterans. Program concludes at approximately 11 a.m., at VFW Post 2301, 830 North G Street.
10:45 am: Mercer County VFW Posts 1571 Veterans Day Event, featuring remarks from Capt. John Pons Jr., ASC, at the post, 106 Southwest 3rd Avenue in Aledo.
11 am: Muscatine Veterans Day Ceremony, including remarks from Congressman Dave Loebsack, at American Legion Post 27, 110 South Houser Street.
11 am: Milan American Legion Veterans Day Commemoration, 11 a.m. at the American Legion, 515 West First Avenue in Milan.
11 am: Silvis Veterans Day Service at 125 Hero Street in Silvis.
11 am: Davenport Veterans Day Parade. Parade steps off at 4th and Western streets downtown.
11 am: East Moline Veterans Day Ceremony at 829 16th Avenue in East Moline.
11 am: Galva Veterans Day Event, at Galva Veterans Park on Front Street.
12:30 pm: Bettendorf Rotary Club Veterans Day Event at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion, 4250 Middle Road, in Bettendorf.
1 pm: Veterans Day Ceremony at the main flagpole at the Rock Island National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal. Keynote speaker is Scott County Veterans Service Officer and Vietnam veteran David Woods. Ceremony will include wreath placement, honor salute, and taps.
1 pm: “We Honor Veterans” program, including wreath laying and presentation of $10,000 donation to the program, at Clarissa C. Cook Genesis Medical Center, 2546 Tech Drive, Bettendorf.
2 pm: Bettendorf Veterans Day Ceremony begins at the band shell/pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park, 1645 23rd Street, in Bettendorf. Remarks from local dignitaries, wreath laying and light refreshments.