By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
This happy family found a soft spot in the grass near Elmhurst College to sit and enjoy the second Memorial Day Convoy, which would have been 103rd annual Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade, were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, which put a stop to many community events over the past year. More photos inside.
The crowd was sparse and the sky was overcast, but there was a spirit of quiet celebration not only for the solemnity of Memorial Day but also for the people who, now fully vaccinated, were glad-handing, greeting their neighbors and offering hugs of welcome for the first time in months.
Memorial Day is always a solemn occasion to recall those who have fallen in service to their country during the wars of the last few centuries. The day began with patriotic musical selections performed by the Antioch Brass Quintet. Elmhurst’s own Brian Costello of the Shannon Rovers also played the bagpipes.
This year’s Grand Marshal was Kevin Calkins, Specialist 5, U.S. Army (Ret.), who served during the Vietnam War.
Following special recognition of Elmhurst’s local funeral homes, John R. Quigley, president & CEO of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry and a member of the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial Commission, read the names of the deceased from the past year.
Quigley and Veterans Memorial Commission Chair Ralph P. Pechanio delivered a presentation to Calkins as Grand Marshal.
The Elmhurst Fire Department and Police Department Honor Guard executed a Rifle Squad 3 Round Volley, followed by “Taps” played by trumpeters from the York High School band.
Newly-elected Mayor Scott Levin did an outstanding delivery of his first-ever Memorial Day address.
Other members of the Elmhurst American Legion took part in the ceremony included:
John Scudder, Commander, led the Pledge of Allegiance;
William R. Shanklin, Sgt.-at-Arms, served as Master of Ceremonies;
Rus Strahan, senior Vice Commander, was Officer of the Day;
John Wendel, Brigadier General (Ret.), delivered the Memorial Day prayer;
Edward H. Walker IV, Major, U.S.M.C., offered the benediction.
Those who participated in laying of the wreaths at the Memorial included:
John Wendel; Robert F. Bracki, Colonel, U.S. Army; Martin Jensen, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army; Marvin H. Mischnik, Tech 5, U.S. Army (WWII); Edwin Walker IV; David A. Frey, Commander, USNR; Tyron Clark, Chief Warrant Officer 3, U.S. Navy; and, Michael R. Bracki, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force. Vietnam veteran Jeff Agonath, Viet Now DuPage County Chapter, placed the KIA (Killed in Action) Flag.
More about Kevin Calkins…
Elmhurst resident Kevin Calkins was slated to serve as the Grand Marshal of the 102nd Memorial Day Parade in 2020, but the parade was cancelled due to COVID-19. Although a Convoy was organized and there was a pre-taped Post-Convoy military ceremony, organizers decided it was best to wait until this year to honor Calkins.
Calkins raised funds for a bronze plaque honoring the 14 young men from Elmhurst who gave their lives to their country during the Vietnam War. It was placed on the front lawn of Wilder Mansion in commemoration of the visit of “The Moving Wall,” the traveling Vietnam War memorial that came to Elmhurst Sept. 8-14 of 1983. After that, a small bronze plaque was placed in the ground, but thanks to Calkins, the plaque is now placed atop a three-foot marble base.
