Aviston planning a big celebration for America 250

American Legion members pose for a picture next to the 'Clinton County Celebrates Freedom 250' flag at the Aviston American Legion. Photo by Matt Wilson    Members from American Legions throughout the county are busy planning for what they hope will be a county-wide celebration to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
    The Clinton County Celebrates Freedom event will be July 5 at Aviston American Legion Post 1239. Doors open at 2 p.m. The ceremony honoring the heroes begins at 6 p.m. and will last about an hour.
    Ivan Markus, Bob Ottensmeier and Dale Rakers from the Aviston American Legion and Joe Langenhorst from the Germantown American Legion, along with others, are spearheading the event. They had a meeting on Tuesday, May 26, to discuss details of the event.
    The committee members are hoping to make it a county-wide event and are inviting all of the Clinton County American Legions. They are sending invitations to all of the cities.
    They are going to be placing 250 flags, about 10 feet apart, up and down Aviston/Albers Road. During the ceremony, they are going to be talking about LeRoy Raeber and Vince Rolves. At 105 years old, Raeber is a World War II veteran and is believed to be oldest living male in Breese. Rolves is a former World War II prisoner of war and is thought to be the only surviving World War II prisoner of war in Illinois.
    They are unsure if Raeber or Rolves will be able to attend the ceremony on July 5, but they will still recognize them.
'Clinton County Celebrates Freedom 250' flag    There will be posters listing all of the Clinton County soldiers who died during World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Civil War and the Middle East wars. Names were found at the Clinton County Courthouse and online. All of the posters will be put in frames and they are looking for tripods to stand them on.
    Members will be speaking about the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Black Hawk War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and major U.S. wars, conflicts and interventions since 1989.
    There will be maps of the different wars that will be framed.
    They are going to fire three canons off and there will be a 21-gun salute. The canons will be back in the trees behind the Legion, and there will be a path that people can follow to look at the canons.
    The organizers are hoping to get a member from each Legion to be a part of the firing squad for the 21-gun salute. They can wear their Legion colors.
    There will be a flag folding ceremony.
    Military items and uniforms will be on display. They are hoping to get a lot of items on display so people can walk around and look at them.
    They will be using the west pavilion in Aviston so there will be picnic tables where people can sit.
    Father Von C. Deeke from St. Francis Church in Aviston will give the opening prayer.
    "Taps" will be played following the gun and canon salute.
    Two America 250 quilts will be raffled off at the event.
    The Sons of the American Legion is taking care of all the food outside. The bar at the Legion will be open.
    The event also will feature a 50/50 raffle and a band/DJ.
    Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs.