Peotone American Legion cordially invites the community to its annual Memorial Day program at the cemetery on Monday, May 27.
Due to construction downtown and by the Legion Post, the parade route will need to be altered this year. Participants are asked to meet at Immanuel United Church of Christ at 9:30 a.m. for line-up. The parade, stepping-off at 10 a.m., will be led by the Peotone American Legion Color Guard, and followed by American Legion members, Legion Auxiliary members, Scouts, friends, neighbors, and patriots. The parade will proceed east on Corning to the cemetery, where the ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Legion and Auxiliary members also would like to invite the community to their traditional fish fry at the Legion Post, which immediately follows the ceremony at the cemetery. The Legion will provide complimentary fish and coffee, while families are asked to bring a covered dish to share.
This year’s guest speaker is Doug Lileks, U.S. Navy. Following graduation from high school, Doug entered the Navy as a third-generation sailor in 1975. Upon completion of Boot Camp at the Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Hospital Corpsman “A” School, and Combat Medical School, Doug volunteered to serve with the Marine Corps elite Force Recon Company. Following a three-month training platoon and additional required schooling, he was assigned to an operational Force Recon platoon as a Special Operation Corpsman.
With his platoon, Doug deployed to various NATO member countries, as well as Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico. During the Iranian Hostage Crisis, elements of Force Recon Marines also deployed oversees in the event of hostile action.
Upon separating from the Navy, Doug returned home to Maryland and became a police officer with the Prince George’s County Police Department. As an officer, he served as a patrolman, district investigator, patrol sergeant, and on the security detail for Mother Teresa. Doug retired from the department in 2001 after serving 21 years.
Since his retirement, Doug has worked as a security consultant and as a facility security officer for the Cove Point Liquid Natural Gas Plant in Southern Maryland. He has three children, one of whom is a fourth-generation sailor serving as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer.
Mark your calendars for this special annual event.