Large crowd enjoys Kaskaskia Island hospitality and program
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
KASKASKIA ISLAND, Ill. – Independence Day was Tuesday July 4th and Kaskaskia Island played gracious host to a large crowd at the 2023 Annual Patriotic Ceremony. The event was the 53rd such event and visitors to the Island experienced a wide range of atmospheric conditions throughout the day.
Guests at the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony held on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th sought out the shade trees that surrounded the presentation area to help provide a bit of coolness in the hot, humid afternoon weather. Jim Beers Photo
The day began with cloudy conditions and temperatures in the upper 70’s with high humidity. As guests began to arrive at around 11:00 a.m. the sun occasionally began to peek through the clouds which boosted the temperatures into the 80’s readily.
Variable cloudy skies continued throughout the next hour, but at noon the sun broke through for what was thought to be the rest of the day. That hot sunshine raised the temperatures to a very uncomfortable level with even higher humidity throughout most of the Patriotic Ceremony.
As the event drew to a close, however, skies began to darken and in the distance the rumbling of thunder could be heard. Immediately following the close of the ceremony, most of the ceremonial area was cleared and equipment was safely stored in quick fashion. As guests made their way to St. Mary’s, Missouri and then to Missouri Route 51 to approach the Chester Bridge, the clouds unleashed much-needed rain for the area.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated to let the ceremony be completed and most all guests and equipment related to the event were properly stored before the skies opened up and provided liquid nourishment for the nearby fields and lawns.
The pre-ceremony began at 12:30 p.m. with a concert performed by the Chester Municipal Band led and directed by Steve Colonel, Chester High School Band and Choral Director. The pre-concert was enjoyed by all and received rave reviews.
At 1:00 p.m. the official Patriotic Ceremony began with the “Presentation of the Colors” by the combined Chester American Legion Post 487, Chester VFW Post 3553 Color Guard and local Boy Scouts. Once the flags were placed, the local Chester Boy Scouts led the attendees in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the United States of America.
Melody Colonel of Chester was the Guest Soloist, at the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony held on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Colonel, who just completed her sophomore year at the University of Illinois in Springfield (UIS) has been very active in various musical endeavors at UIS and is home for summer of 2023 break, serving in an internship with State Farm Insurance. During the Kaskaskia Island Ceremony Colonel was accompanied by the Chester Municipal Band as she sang three selections including, The National Anthem/ “The Star-Spangled Banner”; “Battle Hymn of the Republic”; and “God Bless America”. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester Municipal Band then accompanied Guest Soloist Melody Colonel in the singing of the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. Everyone in attendance stood and took part in the tribute to America.
The Chester Municipal Band provided music for the 2023 Patriotic Ceremony hosted on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. It was the 53rd Annual event held to honor America and celebrate its birthday. The “Muni Band” directed by Steve Colonel, Chester High School Band and Choral Director, played a 30-minute pre-ceremony concert of patriotic songs beginning at 12:30 p.m., then performed throughout the hour-long ceremony playing, the “National Anthem”, “Ashokan Farewell”, “Illinois”, “Armed Forces Medley”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and “God Bless America”. As usual, the band did an amazing job and drew much applause and favor from both ceremony officials as well as those guests in attendance. Jim Beers Photo
Guest Preacher for the event was Reverend Leo Hayes of the Kaskaskia Immaculate Conception Church. He was unable to make the start of the event due to traffic concerns, so Tom Welge of Chester was asked to provide the “Invocation” to bless the event. Welge did an amazing job and got the 2023 Patriotic Ceremony off to a wonderful beginning.
Immediately following the “Invocation” the Chester Municipal Band performed, “Ashokan Farewell” much to the pleasure of attendees. This song serves as a “remembering of those that came before”.
Chester’s Nate Brown, Att., served as Master of Ceremonies of the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Brown has followed in the footsteps of his mother Dr. Barb Brown who was instrumental in helping to establish and fostering the event in its early years. Brown kept things lively and moving throughout the hour-long ceremony and was able to conclude the entire program just before the arrival of a fairly massive rainstorm that struck several minutes after the retiring of the colors. Jim Beers Photo
Master of Ceremonies for the event was Nate Brown of Chester who provided a nice, relaxed, friendly, “laid-back” atmosphere for the day. Brown welcomed Tom Welge back to the podium to present the official “Welcome” for the 4th of July Ceremony.
Chester’s Tom Welge welcomes guests to the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony Tuesday July 4th on Kaskaskia Island. Welge, whose father Don, was a key supporter of the event for decades, wore two hats during the event. He had to fill in for Reverend Leo Hayes in giving the Invocation as Hayes was tied up in traffic on his way to the Island. Immediately following the Invocation, Welge gave the official “Welcome” to open the program. Jim Beers Photo
Welge is the son of the late Don Welge of Chester who had a key role in initiating and coordinating the first “Let Freedom Ring” ceremonies years ago. Don was very active in each and every of the ceremonies prior to his unfortunate death due to Covid-19 complications during the pandemic. It was greatly fitting that Tom Welge followed in his father’s footsteps with his warm welcome to the 2023 event.
Jesse Walter of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) was slated to give an Official IDNR Welcome, however he had a last minute complication that prevented him from attending the ceremony.
Walter is the Site Superintendent for Fort de Chartres-Fort Kaskaskia-Pierre Menard Home- Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial-Governor Bond State Memorial Site and would have loved to have been at Kaskaskia Island to welcome the many guests in attendance at the 53rd Annual Ceremony.
Don Martin of Chester stepped-in for scheduled IDNR employee Jesse Walker who was unable to attend the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Walker was scheduled to give the official IDNR Welcome but Martin, who is Captain of the French Marines, gave a very brief and happy welcome to those attending the event. His jovial, friendly and “brief” welcome earned him a very hearty round of applause from the crowd enduring the very hot and humid weather on the Island. Jim Beers Photo
In his absence, Captain Don Martin of the French Marines gave the welcome and did a great job of providing a light-hearted greeting that was brief and to the point. Martin added a bit of humor to the task which was met with a loud round of applause and even a bit of cheering from the audience as well as ceremony personnel.
Emily Lyons, a long-time Randolph County Historian and former resident of Kaskaskia Island, provided a warm Kaskaskia Island “Welcome” and updated guests regarding current happenings on the Island since the last meeting on July 4th, 2022. Lyons is an encyclopedia of information regarding both Kaskaskia Island and other historical happenings in Randolph County. Her presentations are always factual, well-accepted, and enjoyed by those in attendance at any of her events. Jim Beers Photo
To follow Martin was a huge feat, but Emily Lyons, a renowned Randolph County Historian provided a warm “Kaskaskia Island Welcome” and updated those in attendance regarding recent happenings on the Island since the last meeting on July 4th 2022.
Lyons is a former resident of Kaskaskia Island and who could have done better to update others about the Island than her. There is little that Lyons doesn’t know about both Kaskaskia Island as well as Randolph County history in general. She did a great job of providing her welcome and updates and followed in the footsteps of other speakers for the day by keeping her remarks brief, to-the-point, and interesting.
Master of Ceremonies Nate Brown then re-introduced Steve Colonel and the Chester Municipal Band who played “Illinois” which is theme song for the State of Illinois. This was a very fitting and proper song to be performed for the occasion. The band did a great job of performing the song, much to the liking of the large crowd in attendance.
Commanders from both the VFW and American Legion were recognized by Nate Brown, MC. Brown thanked both Commander Richard Nelan of VFW Post 3553 and Commander Randy Werner of American Legion Post 487 for all of the help that the veteran organizations provide each year to help make the 4th of July event such a huge success.
In conjunction to this recognition the Chester Municipal Band then played, the tune, “Armed Forces Salute”, a medley of theme songs of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. While the respective branch of service theme songs were being played, current members or former members of those branches were asked to stand and be honored as their theme songs were played.
Following that moving portion of the program, representatives from both Perryville and Chester were recognized and given the opportunity to provide remarks for the day. Larry Riney, Mayor of Perryville, Missouri spoke on behalf of the City of Perryville and Chester City Council member J.D. Maes spoke on behalf of the City of Chester as Mayor Tom Page was unable to attend the event.
Next on the agenda was a solo performed by Guest Soloist Melody Colonel who sang, “Battle Hymn of the Republic. Colonel was accompanied by the Chester Municipal Band. Her performance was enjoyed by all.
Following Colonel’s performance, Nate Brown, MC, introduced Deborah Barnett, the Special Guest Speaker for the event. Barnette, a Ph.D., is the Executive Director for “Southern Illinois Now”. Information about the organization can be found at: https://southernillinoisnow.org.
Deborah Barnette, Executive Director of “Southern Illinois Now” was the guest speaker for the 2023 4th of July Patriotic Ceremony hosted on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Barnette spoke briefly regarding economic development in Southern Illinois. She was an excellent speaker who kept the attention of the crowd and made her points in a brief, professional manner. He presentation was well-accepted and enjoyed by all! Jim Beers Photo
Barnette’s message was titled, “Advancing Economic Development” and discussed the many current activities ongoing in the southern Illinois area to further the economic development of the region. Barnette was an excellent public speaker and kept the listeners interested with a mixture of facts and light-hearted comments regarding economic opportunities here in the area. Her message was brief and very intriguing and was well-received by everyone in attendance.
Following Barnette’s message the program concluded with several emotional, patriotic activities conducted by the combined American Legion/VFW Color Guard, local trumpet player, Brock Stinson and the French Marines.
The traditional firing squad, created by a combined membership of the Chester VFW Post 3553 and the American Legion Post 487, honored America and those who have fallen in defense of the USA, in giving a 21-Gun Salute as all in attendance stood in attention. This tradition helped to bring a close to the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony held on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Jim Beers Photo
First of all, the combined American Legion/VFW Firing Squad conducted a 21-Gun Salute as directed by Lee Hollaway, Coordinator of the Color Guard. That tribute to those that died defending our great country was followed by the playing of TAPS performed by Sparta trumpeter and musician, Brock Stinson.
Brock Stinson of Sparta plays “TAPS” immediately following the “Firing Squad Salute” at the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony held on Kaskaskia Island Tuesday July 4th. Stinson is a member of the Chester Municipal Band and just finished his first year at Eastern Illinois University where he performed in the EIU Marching Band. At attention to Stinson’s left is Lee Hollaway of Chester. Hollaway, a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 487 in Chester, served as Firing Squad Coordinator for the event. Jim Beers Photo
Stinson just completed his first year of college at Eastern Illinois University where he was a member of the EIU Marching Band. He currently performs with the Chester Municipal Band throughout the 2023 Summer Concert Series.
Prior to the closing of the event, residents of Kaskaskia Island conducted the traditional “Bells Ring for Liberty” ceremony. It was during this ceremony that bell ringers rang the bells in the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception to symbolize ringing of the Liberty Bell of the West.
This action was to let everyone know that “FREEDOM” is still alive and well here in America! This year’s bell ringers included Brenda Delassus Sutter and Linda Delassus Bloom.
The French Marines, Les Companie Franche de La Marine, de Fort de Chartres, led by Captain Don Martin, of Chester, fire their muskets during the “Let Freedom Ring” portion of the program Tuesday July 4th on Kaskaskia Island. The very popular activity is a crowd-pleaser at all patriotic events and helped bring the 2023 4th of July program to a close. Jim Beers Photo
The French Marines de Fort de Chartres led by Captain Don Martin then closed out the ceremonial portion of the event with the traditional “Let Freedom Ring” firing of the muskets.
Melody Colonel, Guest Soloist, then sang, “God Bless America” accompanied by the Chester Municipal Band. Everyone in the audience was also asked to please stand and sing along as America was celebrated at the 53rd Annual Patriotic Ceremony hosted on Kaskaskia Island.
Reverend Leo Hayes, Retired, gave the Benediction and the 4th of July Ceremony of 2023 was concluded. The Colors were retired by the Color Guard and local Boy Scouts.