American Veterans Traveling Tribute
 "The Wall" Schedule

     American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) travels the USA with the Cost of Freedom Tribute to provide a forum for the members of the community to come together to Honor-Respect-Remember all those whom we have asked to stand in harm’s way to protect and defend our great country and freedom as our way of life. They are the true American Heroes and we have an obligation to pay tribute to them by celebrating the freedoms they fought for and stand to insure.  

     The AVTT will be in Manito, IL from Thursday, September 2 until Sunday, September 5 2010.  Located at Memorial Park on Southmoor Street across from the Midwest Central Elementary and High School Campuses, the AVTT will be open to the public twenty-four hours a day from 10:00 a.m. on Thursday until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Thursday, September 2

10:00 a.m.:

• 4 Opening Remarks And Introductions  - Doug Lord, Manito Chair;

• 4Presentation of Colors  - Hill-Palmer Post #561 Manito American Legion;

• 4Reveille - Midwest Central High School Band;

• 4National Anthem;

• 4Invocation - Pastor Shane Smith; 

• 4Address - Col Robbie Robertson Commander, 182d Airlift Wing Illinois Air National Guard Peoria, IL; 

• 4Laying of  Wreaths Ceremony Hill-Palmer Post #561  -
     1 from Legion Manito American Legion, 
     3 from Artistic Flowers for Manito Vets
     (Family of ED STONE,  Family of JAMES AZBELL, Family of JOHN FREDERICK);

• 41 Gold Star Mother Wreath-Artistic Flowers;

• 4POW/MIA Ceremony - Pekin High School Honor Guard, 
     Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jayden Riley,
     Cadet  Command Sergeant Major Michael Lewis,
     Cadet  First Lieutenant Zachery Chism,
     Cadet First Sergeant  Allison Ginger,
     Cadet First Sergeant Garrett  Williamson, 
     Cadet Corporal Justin DeBoer,
     CWO4 (R)  Four Jerry Becker, Senior Army  JROTC  Instructor, Pekin High School;

• 4Vocal Solo: “The American Soldier” - Rev. Shane Smith

• 421 Gun Salute -  Hill-Palmer Post #561 Manito American Legion; 

• 4Benediction  - Rev. Shane Smith;

• 4Dove Release - John Lee, Artistic Flowers.

8:00 p.m.

• 4Taps  - Ken Emme -  Havana VFW Post #6408 Havana American Legion Post #138;

• 4Retire Colors - Hill-Palmer Post #561 Manito American Legion

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     Friday, September 3

8 a.m.: 

• 4Raise Colors - Hill-Palmer Post #561 Manito American Legion;

• 4Reveille - Midwest Central High School Band

4:00 p.m. - Memorial Service: 

• 4Welcome And Introductions - Doug Lord, Manito Chair; 

• 4National Anthem - Midwest Central High School Band; 

• 4Invocation - Pastor Tom Schakat; 

• 4Address - Col. Fred Allen, Chief of Staff  Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield;

• 4POW/MIA Ceremony - Pekin ROTC-Fabisch;

• 421 Gun Salute -  Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team;

• 4Taps - Havana VFW Post 6408 Havana American Legion Post 138;

• 4Retire Colors  - Boy Scout Troop #65 First Christian Church, Pekin;

• 4Benediction - Pastor Tom Schakat;

• 4Release Doves - John Lee, Artistic Flowers.

9:30 p.m.:

• 4Candlelight Vigil at the Wall

Saturday, September 4

8:00 a.m.:

• 4Raise Colors  - Manito Boy Scouts,Troop 174 Darrell Byrd, Scout Leader; 

• 4Reveille - Midwest Central High School Band

6:30 p.m. - Memorial Service:

• 4Opening Remark And Introductions - Doug Lord, Manito Chair;

• 4National Anthem - Midwest Central High School Band; 

• 4Invocation - Rev. Al Majewski;

• 4Address - Philip Frederick, brother of COS. John Frederick;

• 4Vocal Solo: “God Bless America” - Camille Lord Sanabria;

• 421 Gun Salute Havana - VFW Post 6408 Havana American Legion Post 138;

• 4Benediction - Rev. Al Majewski;

• 4Taps  - Ken Emme, Mike Emme Havana VFW Post 6408,  Havana American  Legion Post 138;

• 4Dove Release  - John Lee, Artistic Flowers; 

• 4Retire Colors Hill - Palmer Post #561 Manito American Legion;

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Sunday, September 5

8:00 a.m. -

• 4Raise Colors - Boy Scout Troop #65 First Christian Church, Pekin;

• 4Reveille - Midwest Central High School Band

7:00 p.m.: 

• 4Opening Remarks And Introductions  - Doug Lord, Manito Chair;

• 4National Anthem - Camille Lord Sanabria;

• 4Invocation -Rev. Tom Guengerich;

• 4Address  - Norm Lacer, Viet Nam Vet & Gerald Stallings, Prisoner of War;

• 4Vocal Solo: “American Soldier” - Rev. Shane Smith;

• 421 Gun Salute - Havana VFW Post #6408, Havana  American Legion Post # 138;

• 4Benediction - Rev. Tom Guengerich;

• 4Taps - Ken Emme, Mike Emme Havana VFW Post #6408, Havana  American Legion Post # 138;

• 4Retire Colors - Hill-Palmer #561 Manito American Legion

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"The Wall" Official Website

Welcome to the Village of Manito, Illinois

The Village of Manito was surveyed and platted in 1858. It consisted of 110 acres. From its inception, the railroad played an important part in the growth of Manito. A depot, post office, and other private enterprises soon formed a "Main Street" in town that over the years was the commercial center of Manito.

Manito is now a progressive community with a population of 1,733. The original "main Street" still exists and houses many new and progressive businesses. Also, a new "Commercial Marketing" area has grown up along Adams Street or the Manito Blacktop that includes a bank, savings and loan, grocery, general stores, churches, service stations and more.

Manito is primarily an agricultural community. Most of the business in the Village is in some way related to agriculture. The diverse soil in the area leads to a broad range of crops and farming methods. To the North and East of Manito are several thousand acres of peat that is so rich that at one time in the Village's history it was dried, processed and bagged. The Dirt Factory can still be seen off in the distance. To the North, West and South of Manito lies sand. Sand is ideal for the growing of melons and Christmas trees which, over the years, have brought some notoriety to the area. Irrigation has been available in the area since the 1950's with center pivots starting in the early 60's with 110 ft. deep wells pumping 1000 gallons of water per minute.  Irrigation has enhanced agriculture in the area by tapping into the aquifer which flows beneath the area. Today, because of modern farming techniques, scientific fertilization and irrigation, some marginal land has been brought into full production.

Great schools, recreation facilities, hunting and fishing areas, civic organizations, friendly neighbors and hometown pride make Manito a great place to live and raise a family.