DeKALB – The DeKalb County Forty and Eight will be holding a 24-hour Veterans Vigil Opening Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W. State St. The State of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Laurie Emmer is the keynote speaker for the event and there will also be two other veterans giving a speech. 

“It’s a good way to honor our veterans,” Frank Beierlotzer, public relations officer for Forty and Eight Beierlotzer said. “Veterans Day is a day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in uniform for Memorial Day, so it’s just a good way to feel good about our veterans.” 

The DeKalb County Courthouse 24-hour Veterans Vigil is scheduled from 4 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday. The vigil has been a tradition in DeKalb County for the past 25 years, Beierlotzer said. 

“We have guards, whether it’s going to sleeting or beautiful weather, at the courthouse with a rifle for 24 hours rotating every hour,” Beierlotzer said.

News Editor Kierra Frazier contributed reporting.