April 18, 2024
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After a one-year absence, the Peru Pearl Harbor parade, memorial returns Saturday

Event will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec 4, at the Peru River Rescue Station

By Jayce Eustice

The Peru Veterans Memorial Group firing squad, led by Augie Wilke (left), fire off rounds for the 21-gun salute during a previous Pearl Harbor memorial parade and service near the South Shore Boat Club in Peru. This year's service will be dedicated to Wilke. (Evan Wixom)

After last year’s cancellation, the Peru Pearl Harbor Day parade and memorial service is set to return at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

This parade and memorial is put on yearly by the Peru American Legion and Veterans Memorial Group to commemorate the events at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

This memorial and event has taken place every year except 2020 since 1980 as members of local veterans groups, citizens and supporters alike come together to pay respect to the events that occurred at Pearl Harbor.

The parade Saturday will begin at the Peru River Rescue Station as participants will march to the South Shore Boat Club for a service.

Guest speaker, state Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa), is scheduled to speak during the service at the boat club.

Event organizers also have said this year’s service will be dedicated to August Wilke, who was the founder of the program. Wilke served the Peru Veterans Memorial Group for more than 60 years.

The public is welcome to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor.