Parade kicks off with flag tribute for America's 250th birthday

There were a combined 250 flags held by representatives from all five county high schools leading off the Clinton County Fair parade on Monday, July 13.    The Clinton County Fair parade on Monday, July 13, kicked off with a patriotic display of 250 American flags.
    Helping organize the 250 flag bearers were (from left) Carl Huels, Larissa Monken and Greg Riechman.The flags were carried by students, coaches, teachers and administrators from the five county high schools - Carlyle, Central, Christ Our Rock, Mater Dei and Wesclin. 
    The event was organized by Carl Huels, Larissa Monken and Greg Riechman. Huels is Monken's dad and she said it was his idea to have the tribute. 
    "It was truly an honor to be asked by Carl and Larissa to coordinate participation with our five local high schools on behalf of the Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum for a special tribute celebrating America’s 250th Birthday," Riechman said. "Thank you to our educators, students, and everyone else who took part in making this tribute such a success. We are also grateful to LuAlice Kampwerth, President Ralph Beckmann, and the entire Clinton County Fair Board for allowing us to do this prior to the official start of the parade. And finally, this all began with Carl’s great idea, and was made possible by Larissa’s incredible Flags were carried by students, coaches, teachers and administrators from the five county high schools - Carlyle, Central, Christ Our Rock, Mater Dei and Wesclin. efforts to spread the word, while doing an outstanding job managing the museum.”
    Each school committed 50 people to help carry the American flags. The participants wore patriotic attire or red, white and blue clothing. 
    Representatives from the Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum were on site to distribute flags and organize participants. All participants were checked in by 5:30 p.m. and the tribute group entered the parade route 15 minutes prior to the start of the parade.
    There was a pace car playing patriotic music. The group was led by five members carrying their respective school flags. The 250 American flag bearers were intermingled among participants from all schools.
   Photos by Matt Wilson At the conclusion of the parade route, a trailer was located in the arena area of the Clinton County Fairgrounds. All participants proceeded to the trailer and returned their flags and assisted with rolling and storing them.
    The idea came to reality when the five local schools were invited to go to Springfield, Illinois, to welcome home veterans from their honor flight.
    "My dad wanted to see how we could bring this back to Clinton County for the Clinton County parade to support our veterans and provide unity," Monken said.