BRIDGE DEDICATION & VETERANS MEMORIAL CELEBRATION
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 16 & 17

The cities of Savanna, Illinois and Sabula, Iowa would like to invite you to attend and participate in the events that are currently planned to celebrate the dedication of the newly opened Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge.

An outstanding assortment of activities and events are being organized to celebrate the dedication of the bridge and to honor and commemorate the service of Dale Gardner, and our local veterans who are the namesakes of our historic new landmark.

Father’s Day Weekend, June 16th and 17th will be the focus of all the celebratory events and activities. This will also be Savanna’s annual alumni weekend which will bring many former classmates and residents back to Savanna to participate in the festivities.

Highlights of the weekend include:
1. Exhibits and programs at the Savanna Historical Society
2. A traveling exhibit known as the Journey to Tomorrow from NASA’s Glenn Research
3. A Veterans Parade honoring our local veterans with floats, marching bands and veteran dignitaries
4. Veteran Memorial Ceremony in Marquette Park honoring our deceased veterans
5. Bridge Dedication Ceremony in Marquette Park featuring Governors Rauner & Reynolds, Senators Duckworth & Ernst, Three former NASA Astronauts, One current NASA Astronaut, State Commanders of the VFW & American Legion, The Navy Great Lakes Marching Band, and members of Dale Gardner’s family
6. The unveiling of the Bridge Dedication Plaque designed by Alan St. George
7. River boat lunch and dinner cruises offered by the American Lady on Father’s Day
8. And weather-permitting, a Fly-Over!

Please come out to celebrate with your veteran friends and acquaintances this Father’s Day Weekend and participate in the Bridge Dedication & Veterans Memorial Celebration. With your help and participation we can make this a once in a lifetime event for our communities.

NOTE: Bridge Celebration Brochures are posted at Mest Manor and Maple Lane that indicate specific times and locations for the scheduled events throughout the weekend.

To reduce the potential for fraud and identity theft, Medicare began issuing new Medicare cards and numbers in April 2018, and will continue through April 2019. Individuals on Medicare will be assigned a new “Medicare beneficiary identifier” and the card will arrive in the mail. It has been stated that our Illinois Medicare beneficiaries will likely get their cards this summer, however, be on the lookout as one of our CCHA residents received her new card in the mail last week.

You can start using your new Medicare card upon receipt, but there is a provision that will allow healthcare providers to accept either your old or new card until December 31, 2019. Medicare recommends you destroy your old card upon receipt of the new one.

The most important thing to know is that your new card changes nothing about your healthcare plan. You will have all the same doctors, premiums, and benefits you have now. You only need to watch your mail for the new card to arrive.

Scammers: While the new card will reduce the potential for fraud, it opens up an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the situation. Following are tips to avoid Medicare card scams:
1. Medicare will never call, email or text you to ask for your personal information.
2. There is no cost for the new cards. If you are asked to pay a fee to expedite, it is a scam.

Please spread the word about potential scammers. Use your answering machine to screen callers or just do not answer a number you do not recognize.