West Chicago ceremony honors Korean War vets

West Chicago's Veterans Day ceremony this year will pay special tribute to soldiers who are sometimes overlooked.

They are veterans of the Korean War, often referred as “The Forgotten War” because of the lack of a declaration by the U.S. Congress for the armed intervention that lasted from 1950 to 1953.

West Chicago Mayor Michael Kwasman will be the keynote speaker, said Steve Bennie, commander of West Chicago VFW Post 6791.

“His speech this year is going to be honoring the 60th anniversary of the Korean conflict,” Bennie said. “His father was a Korean War veteran.”

The ceremony starts at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the VFW Post, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd., West Chicago. It ends at 11:11 a.m. with a 21-gun salute outside the post and the playing of taps.

Bennie said the annual ceremony is held in conjunction with West Chicago American Legion Post 300 and the two groups take turns hosting it.

This year the DuPage Convalescent Center will bring a group of residents to the event, Bennie said.

“I'm happy if I can get 50 to 60 people, but sometimes we get more,” he said.