A quiet Veterans Day in Du Quoin, but you can still warm a veteran's heart

For the second consecutive year, Du Quoin will forego its annual Veterans Day parade.

Last year the weather was too terrible to ask people to come stand in the streets to watch the parade go by; this year no one wants to risk COVID-19, especially the health of older veterans.

"The parade was canceled last year because of the snow and sleet, and we didn't feel right about getting people out there," said Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce President Abby Ancell. The chamber sponsors the parade. "This year it's COVID-19."

VFW Commander Archie Hampleman is disappointed by the parade cancellation.

"I'll really, truly miss that," he said. "It's such a nice tribute to our veterans.

"But just because we're not having a parade doesn't mean we can't stop and pay tribute to our veterans."

That sentiment is on the minds of the local DAR chapter, too.

"The Daughters of the American Revolution, Beaucoup Creek chapter, wish to pay tribute to ALL veterans of the United States of America," a news release reads. " ... There may not be a parade and marching bands this year due to COVID-19, but we will remember the sacrifices you made to keep this country free. We also want to thank the families of our veterans who supported them during their absence."

Hampleman said he went to Walmart the other day, where no fewer than three people stopped him briefly to thank him for his service.

He encourages people to keep that up, long after Veterans Day is over, and said it's particularly important for younger vets from the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan to hear that kind of support.

The VFW is cooking ribs and pork butts for people to pick up on Wednesday. The event is to raise money for the VFW, since the pandemic has shut down their usual sources of fundraising.

"Right now funds are tight because of the pandemic," Hampleman said.

He said the VFW and American Legion in Du Quoin recently bought blankets for the veterans at the Du Quoin Nursing and Rehab Center.

Hampleman doesn't blame vets for not coming to the VFW like they used to.

"I myself am cautious every time I go out," he added. "I wear a mask when I go out.

"We've been fortunate that there's been no COVID among our vets, but we're very careful."