ALTON — The 21st Annual Sunset Memorial Day ceremony was held May 23, 2026, in Alton, bringing together local officials, veterans, students, and community members to honor those who died in military service.
The event featured a welcome and closing remarks by Bob Baird, a presentation of colors by the Alton High School Junior ROTC Color Guard, an invocation and benediction by Alton Mayor David Goins, and guest remarks from Air Force veteran Joe Boston.
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Alton High School student Evelyn Terpening sang “America the Beautiful,” the Alton Post VFW 1308 Team delivered a rifle salute, and Chris Jarden, Charles Prager, and Scott Waldrup performed “Echo Taps.”
The ceremony concluded with the retirement of colors by the AHS AFROTC Color Guard.
Miller-King Attorneys at Law was a key sponsor for the event.
Baird said the ceremony remains deeply personal for him and is rooted in lessons from his father, Richard, who started the Sunset Ceremony.
“It has definitely been a very emotional day," Bob Baird, who now coordinates the Sunset Ceremony, said. "My dad, Richard, who started the Sunset Ceremony, taught me as a child to have respect for those who served and understand what Memorial Day is and the importance of those who gave their lives and respect those people above all others."
