The Celebration featured a panel discussion with area veterans.

The eigth annual Enduring Freedom Celebration at Kaskaskia College today took a moment to thank veterans for their service to the country.

A picture depicting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was donated to the college's planned Veterans Tribute by Jim Wham.

The Kaskaskia Choir sang a medley of songs for each branch of the armed forces, with veterans standing for their respective service. All received a round of applause. The celebration also honored fallen soldiers including Casey Hills and Josh Melton.

A panel discussion was held with multiple veterans from World War II, talking about duties and services. Reinhard Knolhoff of Centralia spoke on his work as a combat engineer in Normandy, Joe Seeburger of Centralia talked about operations on board a U.S. Naval Vessel and Earl Miller of Iuka spoke about his time spent over Germany as a fighter pilot.

The celebration concluded with a balloon release in thanks and memory of Veterans.