Communities across the country celebrated Memorial Day over the extended weekend. Those in the greater Peoria region have also paused for services between Saturday and Monday.
The annual service on the Peoria Riverfront at the Gateway Building included a number of community leaders and the municipal band that's celebrating 80 years of music this year.
Some elements of the service included the Armed Forces Salute as well as a rifle salute, and the lone trumpeter playing Taps.
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said, "we don’t have too many opportunities to remember and thank those folks. And this is a great day to do that.” Ardis shared remarks during the ceremony that was hosted by Councilman Eric Turner. Turner is the only war veteran currently serving on Peoria’s City Council.
Turner says General John Logan made the order in 1868 declaring Memorial Day to honor those fallen in service to country. The councilman says he believes General Logan would be proud of the Memorial Day services and remembrances across the region.