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Wreath placing ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield will go on Friday

The State Journal-Register - 2/10/2021

Feb. 10—The longstanding pilgrimage and wreath-placing ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery will go on Friday despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is one of two programs being put on by national veterans organizations Friday.

American Legion Springfield Post 32 is the originator of the pilgrimage and it has been a major activity of the post since 1935.

The wreath-placing ceremony will be held inside the tomb at 10 a.m.

President Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their children — Edward, William ("Willie") and Thomas ("Tad") — are buried in the tomb. The Lincolns' other son, Robert Todd Lincoln, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Participants will follow all public health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The VFW Department of Illinois will gather at Lincoln's Tomb at noon to honor the winners of the annual Voice of Democracy audio-essay program.

There are 17 winners throughout the state, with the top finisher going to a national competition with the chance to compete for a $30,000 college scholarship.

Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program, which dates back to 1947.

Oak Ridge is the second-most visited cemetery in the United States, after Arlington National Cemetery.

Lincoln's Tomb and all state historic sites in Springfield resumed operations on Jan. 26, under Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidelines.

Reservations and use of face coverings are required for visitors at Lincoln's Tomb and can be made through https://www.eventbrite.com/, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website or by calling 217-785-9363.

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