Downtown to change from pink to green

The pink lighting in downtown Du Quoin for Breast Cancer Awareness Month will turn to green later this week to honor our community's veterans, according to Mayor Guy Alongi.

"Sometime this week, the city will be changing it's light bulbs in the lanterns from pink to green to honor all of our local and national veterans who have served our country with honor.," he said. "The idea came as I was asking people about different lighting for the holidays on Main Street. Over half the people I talked with mentioned that I should consider green lights to honor veterans," he said.

"It was an easy decision to make. City Clerk Andrew Croessman ordered the bulbs last week and delivery will be this week, and as soon as we get them the city employees will change them out," the mayor added.

"I don't want to make Main Street the changing colors of the season, but breast cancer, cancer awareness, honoring our veterans and promoting the holidays season is something I can definitely buy into," Alongi said.

"You have to admit, Main Street is very attractive and doing something with style, representing a national cause. promoting and bringing attention to our Main Street while at the same time bringing attention to a community that cares works for everyone," he said.

The City of Du Quoin will honor its veterans on Wednesday, November 11 with the annual Veterans Day parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. sponsored by the Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce.

The parade will empty into Keyes City Park just before 11 a.m. with a prayer and honor guard salute followed by celebrations at the legion and VFW. Services will also be held at the veterans' plaza at the courthouse in Pinckneyville on Nov. 11.