In a ceremony to both recognize the lost or missing soldiers and an admonishment of the government that left them behind, a POW/MIA tree lighting was held at Veterans Memorial Park in Dixon on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The local ceremony got its start in 1988, with different colored lights, each representing a war or POW/MIA status, placed on a tree.

A table setting is also on display to signify the empty table, tears and bitter feelings the soldiers and their families have had to endure.

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Terry Stephenitch of the Dixon VFW changes a bulb from red to green Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, to signify the return of the remains of an Illinois soldier who had been missing in action. (Alex T. Paschal)