Public is encouraged to show up and support along parade route
Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso is coordinating a special Honor Flight Celebration on Monday, Aug. 31, recognizing local veterans who have participated in an Honor Flight during 2026, as well as those preparing for two upcoming flights in September.
The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. at Standin’ Proud, 1507 Carlyle Road in Bartelso, and will include guest speakers, tribute videos and a recognition ceremony.
“We will recognize the veterans as well as have a few guest speakers to help show our support of those that have so selflessly served for our freedom,” said Larissa Monken, Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum administrator.
Following the ceremony, veterans and their guardians will depart on a parade route through Clinton County at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Organizers are encouraging local schools, families and community members to line the route and help create a memorable show of appreciation for the veterans. Those attending are encouraged to wave American flags, display patriotic signs and bring plenty of smiles and cheers as the procession makes its way through the county.
The parade will leave Standin’ Proud and travel east on Illinois Route 161 before heading north on Slant Road and then west on Old Route 50.
The procession is expected to travel through Carlyle at approximately 1 p.m. before continuing through Beckemeyer, Breese and Aviston. It is expected to reach Trenton at approximately 1:45 p.m. and conclude at the intersection of Old Route 50 and Route 160.
The following morning, Tuesday, Sept. 1, seven Clinton County veterans and their guardians will report to Springfield to participate in Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Mission #78.
Another nine Clinton County veterans are scheduled to depart from Marion on Monday, Sept. 14, for Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois Mission #17.
Both flights will take the veterans to Washington, D.C., for a day dedicated to honoring their military service and sacrifice. While in the nation’s capital, veterans are scheduled to visit the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with other stops before returning to Illinois later that evening.
The Honor Flight program provides veterans with an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., accompanied by guardians, to visit memorials built in recognition of their service. The one-day trips, including transportation, meals and other expenses, are provided at no cost to the veterans and are funded through donations.
Locally, much of the effort to connect Clinton County veterans with Honor Flight opportunities — including assisting with applications and coordinating local celebrations — has been led by Carl Huels, Kathy Rakers Kampwerth, Greg Riechman and Monken.
Monken stressed that Standin’ Proud is not officially part of the Honor Flight organization.
“Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum is not affiliated with the Honor Flight System,” Monken said. “We simply work with the veterans to assist with the application process.”
Since Standin’ Proud opened its doors in May 2023, Monken said the museum has assisted approximately 220 veterans with applications for Honor Flight and Virtual Honor Flight opportunities.
“Our goal is to get that number to at least 250 by the end of America’s 250th year,” she said.
The Aug. 31 celebration will recognize not only the veterans preparing for the Sept. 1 and Sept. 14 flights, but also Clinton County veterans who have already participated in an Honor Flight during 2026.
Organizers hope residents throughout the parade route will turn out Monday to make sure the veterans know their service — and their sacrifices — have not been forgotten.
