Galesburg’s own Bob Juraco led off last night’s Fourth of July fireworks show at Lake Storey Park with the Star-Spangled Banner as residents placed their eyes to the skies.
The 20th consecutive Big Bang Boom, featuring a synchronized soundtrack, was the place to be in town yesterday.
As thousands of locals gathered to grill out and hang out for the better part of the afternoon and evening, one family shared their patriotism in a different way.
Ahead of the show, Amanda and Terry Talbert of East Galesburg set up a small booth and handed out free flags, water and Bibles to passersby.
Terry told WGIL that the couple’s son, Army Specialist Christopher Talbert, was killed while serving in 2009 in Afghanistan.
“My son was a medic in the Army,” Talbert says. “He was really famous for making sure that people stayed hydrated. He always pushed water on people.”
Both Talberts say today’s action was simply a way to give back in honor of their fallen son.
Christopher was a graduate of Galesburg Christian School. According to his obituary, he was killed by a “terrorist explosion” at the age of 24.
UPDATED 7/5/16 at 8:13 a.m. to reflect name correction of “Jerry” Talbert to “Terry” Talbert.
