On June 14, 2023, the City of Peoria officially recognized the Peoria Freedom & Remembrance Memorial, concluding eight years of effort to ensure that those who rest still at the Old Moffatt Cemetery are “forgotten no more”.
Click on the sections of the program from the event below to hear audio of their remarks and read a transcription.
Thank you to everyone who spoke, participated, and attended!
Many thanks to WCBU-FM 89.9 for audio of the remarks and a transcription.
For photos of the day, please see this Facebook gallery, courtesy of the City of Peoria.
Program as Presented
| Call to Order | Colleen Johnson – MC |
| Posting of the Colors | City of Peoria Firefighters Color Guard |
| Pledge of Allegiance, Welcome, and Opening Remarks | City of Peoria Mayor Rita Ali |
| Keynote Remarks | Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton |
| Acknowledge Special Guests, Sponsors, & Project Team | Colleen Johnson, MC |
| Recognitions: | |
| Peoria and Community | Denise Jackson, 1st Dist. Council Member |
| State and National | Charles Stanley, ISHS Board Member and Markers Committee Chairman |
| Commemorations: | |
| Forgotten Peorians | Bob Hoffer, Local History Enthusiast |
| The 52 Veterans | Joe Hutchinson, SUVCW Officer and Genealogist |
| Nance Legins-Costley | Carl Adams, Lincoln Historian, Author |
| Closing Comments, Moment of Silent Reflection | Rev. Marvin Hightower, Pres. Peoria NAACP |
| Battle Hymn of the Republic | Sherry Carter-Allen, Vocal Artist |
| Amazing Grace | Kevin Nickerson, Bagpipes Artist |
| Retiring of the Colors | Peoria American Legion Post 2 Color Guard |
| Historical Honor Guard | Capt. Zeally Moss Chapter National Society Sons of the American Revolution |
| Note of Thanks and Invitation to Visit the Memorial | Colleen Johnson, MC |