Memorial Day Ceremony

The St. Peters Veterans Memorial Commission invites you to join us Memorial Day for a day honoring Americans who gave their lives in the line of duty. This year’s Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial outside St. Peters City Hall.

Join special guest speaker Sergeant Major Carlos J. Askew, who embarked on a distinguished military career after enlisting in the Marine Corps in March 2004. He served in Iraq before becoming a Drill Instructor and served as Senior Enlisted Leader aboard the USS Arlington. Throughout his career, Askew garnered numerous accolades, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He currently serves as the Sergeant Major at Recruiting Station St. Louis, 9th Marine Corps District.

We will also feature guest speaker Lieutenant Colonel Kevin R. Franke, the Director of Instruction at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and former Deputy Commander at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. A veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Lt. Col. Franke started his career at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before rapidly progressing through various leadership roles, including serving in the 19th Engineer Battalion at Fort Knox and commanding the 544th Vertical Engineer Company at Fort Carson.

The St. Peters Veterans Memorial is located at One St. Peters Centre Blvd. Seating is very limited, so bring a lawn chair for the event. Be careful with the heat: the tree canopy that was around Veterans Memorial is no longer there to provide shade. Stay cool and bring water to drink. In case of rain or extreme heat, the ceremony will move indoors to the Cultural Arts Centre banquet rooms.