CHICAGO (WLS) — Across the Chicago area, numerous ceremonies and parades are taking place to pay tribute to the nation’s heroes on Memorial Day.
“The sound of the bagpipes really resonates with me,” shared Sarah Garcia, a resident of Elmhurst. “With our Scottish roots, it’s definitely my favorite part of the day.”
Now marking its 108th year, the Elmhurst Memorial Day parade featured a vibrant array of participants, including marching bands, choirs, veteran organizations, and local community groups.
“It’s a cherished family tradition,” said Elmhurst local Jami Gabelman. “My grandson is participating as a Boy Scout today, which makes it even more special.”
Garcia added, “This is an annual event for us. I used to march, my son is marching now, and it’s a wonderful way to spend time with my family. We have three generations of women here today.”
As the parade wound its way through the streets, spectators lined the route, coming together to honor the brave individuals who have given their lives in service to the nation.
“It’s important to teach the kids about why we do all these things,” Elmhurst resident Mark Baron said. It’s not just a parade. It’s a little bit more than that.”
“It’s not about you,” Parade Grand Marshall William Shanklin said. “It’s not about me. What it’s about is everybody who paid the price for our freedom. So we represent them, we represent your community.”
Shanklin is a decorated veteran who served in the US Army special forces during the Cold War and Vietnam War era. He spent more than two years deployed overseas and received numerous distinctions over the course of his military service.
Even as recently as 2019 – at the age of 75, Shanklin completed a parachute jump from a C-47 aircraft into Normandy, as part of the 75th D-Day anniversary.
“I was asked the other day ‘Bill, would you want your grandson to go into the military?’ Given all the things that you’ve seen. I said yes and the reason is somebody’s gotta stand on watch. Somebody has to stand on watch and be ready to keep us free,” Shanklin said.
Monday also marks a historic moment for the city with the unveiling of the Elmhurst 250 Bell that’s also being showcased in the parade.
“We found an old cart in Pennsylvania, a railroad cart, had it shipped here,” Rich Reichert, of the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission commissioner, said. “We have a crew of about six people, they fashioned it and it’s really cool. It’ll be all around Elmhurst all summer long at different events.”
Fundraised through the Elmhurst Heritage foundation, the bell will serve as a lasting symbol of the nation’s 250th anniversary and love for our country.
“We’re hoping to get the whole city excited about America 250,” Reichert said.
The mayor and other city leaders are honoring local fallen service members in a somber ceremony that they hope encourages people to reflect on why we’re all here.
Meanwhile in Arlington Heights, there’s a long-standing tradition: the village’s 107th annual Memorial Day Parade.
Organizers believe this may be record for participation with roughly 90 marching units and more than 2,500 people a part of the parade and another 5,000 spectators lining the route.
Over the years the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights has researched and found record of all the servicemen from Arlington Heights who have died in the line of duty.
There are 68 of them and their names are read aloud during the post-parade ceremony at Memorial Park.
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia weighed in on the significance of Memorial Day.
“This is for all those who gave everything and who maybe didn’t come home, or came home, and still didn’t make it. It’s a somber day, and it’s a way for us to recognize and give thanks,” Mayor Tinaglia said.
“I lost friends in Vietnam, and good friends, and there’s always a hole in your heart when that happens,” Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch said. “But today it gets especially tender. It’s a time to remember and honor their service and what they gave to this country, their last full measure.”
Retired Army Sergeant Allen J. Lynch, is a Medal of Honor Recipient and this year’s guest of honor.
The parade ending here at Memorial Park capping the morning’s remembrance with a ceremony.
Service in Naperville will take place at 7:45 a.m. at the Commander Dan Shanower September 11th Memorial.
Naperville will also hold four other short services
-One at 8:15 a.m.at the G.A.R. Monument on the south side of Naperville Cemetery.
-One at 8:35 a.m. at the Gold Star Families’ Memorial at Veterans Park.
– At 9 a.m., people can gather at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery
-At 9:25, there-s a short service at Burlington Square.
The Naperville Memorial Day Parade is at 10:30 a.m.
In Chicago, Beverly and Morgan Park will hold the 100th Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade, stepping off at 10:15 a.m. from 110th Street and Longwood Drive. It will go north to Ridge Park at 9625 S. Longwood Drive. The annual Ridge Run will take place prior to the parade.
Elgin will hold a ceremony at 8:45 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, with another ceremony at 9:15 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park and a 9:34 a.m. ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park and an additional program at 11 a.m. at Bluff City Cemetery.
In Lake In The Hills, a newly rebuilt veterans’ memorial next to the Village Hall will be formally rededicated at a 9 a.m. ceremony.
A solemn parade will take place in Woodridge, beginning at the fire station at 75th Street and Woodridge Drive at 9 a.m.
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chicago chapter will hold a wreath-laying at the monument on the Riverwalk at 9 a.m.
In Park Ridge, a Memorial Day observance will begin at 9:30 a.m. at South Park Recreation Center, followed by the Annual Memorial Day Parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. from the park rec center and ends at Hodges Park.
Aurora will hold its annual parade, stepping off at 10 a.m. at Benton Street and River Street.
At Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, the parade will step off at 10 a.m. at Rosehill Drive and Ashland Avenue and heads to the cemetery’s veterans garden for a 10:45 a.m. ceremony.
The 11th Annual Commander Robert Davis South Side Memorial Day Parade will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at St. Leo Campus for Veterans, 7750 S Emerald Ave. in Chicago, at 10 a.m. and a parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Veteran’s New Beginnings at 8140 S. Racine Ave.
In Crown Point, the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. beginning on Joliet Street with a brief ceremony at 11 a.m. at the historic Maplewood Cemetery.
In Plainfield, the parade will step off at 10:45 a.m. at Ira Jones Middle School and end at the memorial in Settler’s Park, where a ceremony will take place.
In Crystal Lake, the parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Central high School and end at Union Cemetery, where a service will be held.
The Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOFMS) parade will continue its tradition where “everybody marches and nobody (just) watches.”
Orland Park will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the village’s memorial Ara Pace, Place of Peace located outside Village Hall.
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