New War Veterans Memorial Dedicated in West Peoria.


West Peoria has a new city hall and as part of the city hall, they also have a new War Veterans Memorial. The memorial was dedicated at the Memorial Day service on May 24, 2025.



We were especially interested in this year's ceremony as the names of John's dad and uncle, John A. Carroll and Thomas A. Carroll, were recently added to the memorial. John was a staff sergeant in the 90th Division of the Army, who landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, two days after D-Day, and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. Tom was a lieutenant in the army, who served in the Pacific, and unfortunately, we don't know anything about his service. John lived in West Peoria from 1957 until he died in 1978. Tom lived the last part of his life at St. Joseph's Home in West Peoria, passing on in 1993. 


They had a short but meaningful program.

The city administrator Kinga Krider welcomes us to the ceremony. She said that they hope people come to the memorial to express gratitude and tell stories. 


Col. Rusty Ballard, Commander of the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard was the guest speaker, representing 1,200 members of the Guard. He said there are currently members from the Guard in Peoria who are serving on all seven continents. West Peoria is close to the airport so we frequently see and hear the planes--C-130H Hercules--fly overhead. The Guard has been in Peoria since just after World War II.


Master Ceremony Sharon Kennedy introduces the Boy Scouts who will read In Flanders Field and Eulogy of a Veteran. The ceremony ended with God Bless America, the Star Spangled Banner, and Taps.


 John, next to the plaque bearing the names of his dad and uncle. Thanks to them and all of our veterans for their service.

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