Aurora's Memorial Day events honor military heroes and city's history
Andy Aurora remembers. Resurrected from his place in history as the promotional face of Aurora circa 1964, he's been given new life at this year's Memorial Day observance as one of the many elements of its theme “Expressions of Remembrance.”
“We're going to reflect on our veterans — those who have gone before us — as well as the pioneers who are responsible for getting Aurora started,” said Dee Basile, a coordinator in Aurora's special events department.
Those pioneers include some important milestones: East Aurora High School celebrating its 165th anniversary, the Aurora Farmers Market's 100th anniversary and Holy Angels School celebrating its 100th anniversary.
“There's a lot of celebrating going on here, hence the theme ‘Expressions of Remembrance,'” Basile said.
A revamped goddess of Aurora will honor the city's 175th anniversary and can be seen in the parade's promotional materials.
Among the pioneers is Andy Aurora — the fictional character whose head sat atop a red letter ‘A' and whose feet sprouted out the bottom.
“I'm from Aurora and proud of it,” Andy Aurora always said on the car stickers he adorned.
He became the city's version of the Flat Stanley, with people taking him along on their adventures and mailing photographs of his travels back to the village.
“Looking back and reflecting on what Aurora is all about, this Andy was one of them. We brought him back to life,” Basile said.
There'll be an army of Andys who will appear in the parade, joining about 75 other entries.
A pre-parade ceremony begins with the East Aurora High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps honor guard presenting the colors and local Boy Scouts leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The Aurora Historical Society Chorus and the Bradley Green Family Band will perform.
The parade begins at noon at River and Benton Streets and heads east to Broadway Avenue, turns north to Galena Boulevard and ends at Hoyt Place.
Village officials recommend North Island Center as the best viewing place at 8 E. Galena Blvd.
Marching bands performing in the parade include Waubonsie Valley, East Aurora and West Aurora high schools and Waldo Middle School.
West Aurora High School co-Interim Principal Rudy Keller will serve as the master of ceremonies with Herschel Luckenbill as the keynote speaker.
Other parade highlights include Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84, AMVETS Post 103, Fox Valley Marines, Waidley VFW Post 468, 8th Illinois Cavalry, a vintage 1951 Korean War jeep, Honor Flight Chicago with World War II veterans, Waubonsie Valley High School Diamond Steppers, Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Core-Aurora Division and the Chicago Highland Rifles bagpipers.
Parking is available in the Stolp Avenue parking deck, accessible from Galena Boulevard or Benton Street.
People who can't attend the parade may watch it from home on Aurora Community Television on Comcast Channel 10, as well as AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 during June.
For information, call (630) 256-3370 or visit aurora-il.org.
If you go
<b>Aurora's Memorial Day ceremony and parade</b>
When: Ceremony at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 28; parade follows at noon
Where: Ceremony at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd.; parade starts at River and Benton streets
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 256-3370 or aurora-il.org
<b>Memorial Day cemetery services</b>
When: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, May 28
Where: 8 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park, 675 Route 30, Aurora; 9 a.m. at Marywood Cemetery, 1820 Church Road, Aurora; 9:30 a.m. at St. Michaels, Route 25 and Mitchell Road; 10 a.m. at River Hills Memorial Park, 1650 S. River Road, Batavia
Cost: Free
Info: post84.com