DeKalb Police Sgt. Jason Goodwin, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, will deliver the  keynote speech at the Memorial Day program in DeKalb following the annual parade. 

The parade and program honoring the military service members who gave their lives in  service to the country will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. 

The parade steps off at 9 a.m. at North Third and Locust Street in downtown DeKalb. The  parade will go west down Locust Street, which was dedicated as DeKalb’s Honorary  Veterans Way in 2020. Entries will then march north on Linden Place before the parade  concludes behind the Ellwood House. 

Joining local veterans’ organizations in the parade will be the DeKalb High School  Marching Barbs, the Huntley and Clinton Rosette Marching Band, local Cub Scouts and  Scouts and more community groups. 

Sgt. Goodwin will speak as part of the Memorial Day program on the Ellwood House lawn  at 9:30 a.m. 

Goodwin served in the Marine Corps from March 2001 to June 2005. Primarily stationed  at Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia, his Military Occupational Specialty  was Military Police. After initially performing routine base patrol duties, he was selected  for the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), where he conducted felony-level  investigations while serving alongside the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS). 

Goodwin reached the rank of Sergeant by the end of his active service and was promoted  to Staff Sergeant (E-6) while on inactive reserve status. His awards include the Marine  Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service  Medal and a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, along with two Certificates of  Commendation and one Meritorious Mass. He also earned Expert Rifleman and Expert  Pistol shooting badges. After serving in the Marines, he continued his police career in civil  law enforcement. Goodwin joined the DeKalb Police Department in 2014 and was  promoted to Sergeant in 2022.

The program will also include musical numbers performed by Terri Crain Goodman, Ron  Lofton, Mark Baldin, Michael Embery and the Firefighter Highland Guard of DeKalb. 

Following the program, free first-floor tours of the Ellwood Mansion will be offered. 

The Memorial Day activities are a collaboration of the City of DeKalb, DeKalb Park  District, Ellwood House Museum and local veterans’ organizations.