2025 John Whiteside Memorial Golf Outing

In 2001 the legendary Joliet Herald News columnist John Whiteside and former U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller initiated the idea of establishing an honor detail at the national cemetery in Elwood, IL. They coordinated with the cemetery director and staff in moving forward with the formation of the ALNC Memorial Squad. The Memorial Squad was inaugurated on August 26, 2003. The first service was performed on Sept. 9, 2003.

The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Squad held its first golf outing in 2005 and has since become known as the John Whiteside Memorial Golf Outing. Whiteside, an Air Force Veteran, is buried at the cemetery.

The primary mission of the Memorial Squad is to render, at the request of the family or a designated funeral director, a military ceremonial burial service for honorably discharged veterans at no charge to the family.

Military honors are rendered each day of the week 9:30am to 2:30pm, regardless of weather conditions. Honors consist of a three-volley rifle salute, Taps sounded by a live bugler and the folding and formal presentation of the American flag.

It is our privilege to fulfill every veteran’s request for military burial honors as the final gesture of our country’s gratitude and respect that we have for their service.

To join the Memorial Squad please call: (815) 474-0321 or visit AbrahamLincolnMemorialSquad.org