Streamwood honors those who served, died for country
Streamwood honored all the men and women who have served their country in the military, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice, with a solemn ceremony Sunday at its Veterans Memorial.
The ceremony was preceded by a candlelight vigil and vigil guard, which began Saturday evening and continued overnight. Uniformed guards, made up of veterans and active-duty personnel, took turns marching silently through the Veterans Memorial as a reminder of the sacrifices soldiers had made before them.
Navy Capt. Kathryn Serbin opened the Sunday's ceremony reflecting on the women who have participated in military conflicts throughout our history. Serbin has been a part of the village's Memorial Day ceremonies for more than 19 years and serves on the Streamwood Veterans Memorial Commission.
The event included the presentation of the American and service flags, playing of the service songs by the Spring Valley Concert Band, the posting of the POW/MIA flag, a 21-gun salute by the VFW Post 5151 Ceremonial Rifle Team.
A replica of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., was on display in village hall nearby. Volunteers with Pillars of Honor, Inc. in Des Plaines displayed the model for veterans of the war who may not be able to travel to D.C.