80th National Pilgrimage to Lincoln Tomb (Springfield, IL Cemetery) -- sponsored by American Legion from many states and includes Lawmakers and Mayor

Springfield Journal-Register (Illinois): For the 80th consecutive year, Springfield American Legion Post 32 and its auxiliaries are sponsoring the Annual National American Legion Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln. The wreath-laying ceremony inside the tomb — the highlight of the event — is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Feb. 12,2014, but some events will occur beginning Tuesday Feb. 11. “This is the longest continuously running military recognition of President Lincoln in the country,” said Tony Libri, pilgrimage general chairman. He said it will draw several hundred people from around the country. Dan Dellinger of Vienna, Va., national commander of the American Legion, which represents 2.4 million American war veterans, will head this year’s pilgrimage. “Although this is primarily an American Legion event, the public is invited to attend many of the functions that will take place over the two-day celebration,” Libri said. The commemoration begins with a public open house from 5 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday at Springfield American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave. The Mess Hall restaurant will provide dinner service from 4 to 8:30 p.m. On Wednesday, The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion will hold separate breakfasts honoring their respective national commanders, Nancy Park-Brown and Dellinger. The pilgrimage motorcade leaves from in front of the Hilton Springfield at 10 a.m. with the ceremonies, wreath-layings and remarks by dignitaries inside Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. The Sound Celebration chorus, a part of Sweet Adelines International under the direction of Martha Eiter and Connie Drake will perform. The Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Band will perform in the ballroom of the Hilton Springfield at noon and during the commemorative luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Dellinger is the keynote speaker. National and state leaders of the American Legion and its auxiliary organizations will attend, and both U.S. senators from Illinois, two Illinois congressmen, state officials and Mayor Mike Houston have been invited. Legionnaires from Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, Michigan, New York and other states will be on hand to honor Lincoln on his birthday.