John M. Wendel to serve as Grand Marshal
Led by Grand Marshal John M. Wendel, retired Brigadier General and Chaplain in the United States Air Force, some 90 entries will march in Elmhurst’s 99th Annual Memorial Day Parade through downtown Elmhurst on Monday, May 29, stepping off at 9:30 a.m.
The 2017 Parade is presented by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Elmhurst American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, Veterans of Foreign Wars Villa Park Post 2801, the City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst Park District.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst will again serve as Parade Marshals, assisted by Veterans of Elmhurst College, and will also march carrying their giant U.S. flag.
This year’s entries include seven color guards, retired military officers from the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, members of American Legion Post 187 and VFW Post 2801, costumed Civil War re-enactors and military vehicles.
The lead color guard will feature members of the Elmhurst Police and Fire Departments.
A total of nine cub scout packs, three boy scout troops and one combined troop of girl scouts will carry commemorative war banners.
Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley and members of the Elmhurst City Council will head a contingent of elected leaders that includes U.S. Representative Mike Quigley.
Two District 205 marching bands, from York High School (Marching Dukes) and from Elmhurst Middle Schools, will perform. Rounding out the parade’s musical and/or drill groups are the Antioch Brass Quintet, Carver Military Academy Drill Team and Drum Corps, Chicago Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Chicago Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Chorus of DuPage, Patton Academy (Farragut Career Academy) and JROTC Drill and Drums Team.
The parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. from York Road and Third Street, and concludes with a Military Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park.
Post-Parade Memorial takes place immediately following
The Post-Parade Military Ceremony at the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial will feature inspirational speeches, the laying of wreaths, and a traditional Three-Round Volley. The names of Elmhurst area veterans who passed away since Veterans Day 2016 will be read aloud in remembrance, from the lists provided by area funeral homes.
American Legion Post 187, with assistance from Elmhurst College’s Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity members, has placed four rows of 65 white crosses adjacent to the Veterans Memorial with the names of deceased Elmhurst veterans who served in various wars.
For the seventh year in row, an Always Remember sign commemorating the names of the deceased Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshals has been erected adjacent to the crosses. The sign was manufactured by Vital Signs USA, with a donation by Don Meyers.
Applications to have a deceased veteran honored at the Veterans Memorial are available at Elmhurst City Hall, 209 North York Street, or by calling (630) 530-3010. Donations to the Veterans Memorial Fund are appreciated.
