Tiskilwa’s Memorial Day Ceremony on May 28 to Feature Command Sergeant Major Robert Allen

The return of native son Rob Allen will be one highlight of Tisklwa’s Memorial Day Ceremony to honor all veterans. The Monday, May 28th program begins with the Presentation of Colors at 11:00 a.m. in Tiskilwa’s East Park shelter.

U.S. Navy Veteran Jennifer Fisher will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event that includes remarks by other two veterans with Tiskilwa connections: Sharla Aber Becker, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2003-2011, with deployments to Kuwait and later Germany, and Marvin Vankeulen, who served in the 147th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in the late 1950s.

The featured speaker, CSM Allen, is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and he has received numerous awards and high commendations for his service and leadership, including two Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and two Humanitarian Service Medals.

Two months after graduating from Tiskilwa High School in 1989, Command Sergeant Major Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army and now has served for almost thirty years, in both overseas and domestic capacities. CSM Allen’s most recent assignments were as Command Sergeant Major of the Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, Florida, and as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, Norfolk, Virginia.

Jennifer Fisher, who organized the program with the assistance of Tiskilwa Historical Society and the Tiskilwa Community Association, advises attendees, “Bring a lawn chair!” The historical society will set up a display of military artifacts from the museum collection. Following the ceremony, the TCA will provide refreshments.