Brig.Gen. Champagne will be the keynote speaker for O’Fallon’s Memorial Day ceremony

A Memorial Day Ceremony commemorating U.S. military personnel who died while in service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27, at O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk, 800 Belleau Creek Road, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366. Free parking is available.

Brigadier General Greg S. Champagne, U.S.A.F, will be the keynote speaker. Brig. Gen. Champagne is the Assistant Adjutant General for Air Forces in the Missouri National Guard stationed at Joint Force Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO.  He is responsible for the combat-readiness of approximately 2,500 Air National Guard Airmen stationed in three geographical areas.  Brigadier General Champagne is a career Missouri National Guard officer who has served in numerous flying positions with over 3400 hours of flight time.  He flew combat missions in Operations PROVIDE COMFORT and SOUTHERN WATCH and commanded the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Tallil Air Base Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Brig. Gen. Champagne’s previous assignment was as the Commander of the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, Whiteman Air Force Base, where he commanded the National Guard's only B-2 Wing that provides nearly 1,100 combat-ready Airmen for both state and federal missions.

O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy will deliver opening remarks. Jim David, SMS Sgt., USAF Ret., will be master of ceremonies for the event. The presentation of colors, wreath laying and honor guard will be provided by American Legion Post 388. Music will be provided by the O’Fallon Community Concert Band.

In observance of the holiday, the O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), 100 North Main Street, will be closed.

Directions: On I-70 in O’Fallon, MO, take Exit 219 at T.R. Hughes Boulevard and Belleau Creek Road. Turn south. O’Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk is just off the I-70 overpass at the southeast corner of Belleau Creek Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.