No parade, but military remembrance abounds in Arlington Heights
Though Arlington Heights' Memorial Day parade was canceled by the threat of rain, the village's service people honored during a ceremony moved to the gymnasium of Christian Liberty Academy.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk joined Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and other military and civilian dignitaries in honoring those who died in service as well as the 226 onetime Arlington Heights residents who died during the last year after surviving their tours of duty.
Kirk said a community like Arlington Heights represents exactly what is defended by those who go to war.
"I believe Arlington Heights is the center of normality on this planet," the senator said.
He also came to honor the service and recovery of U.S. Army Sgt. Lee Seimer of Genoa, who suffered a brain injury after falling off a rooftop during a nighttime mission in Afghanistan.
But Seimer, accompanied Monday by his family and battle buddies, is on the mend and planning to study to be a doctor himself.
All 58 Arlington Heights service members who died, from the Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom, were remembered during the ceremony.
The most recent of these combat fatalities, Marine Lance Cpl. James Bray Stack, was represented by his father, Robert Stack, who spoke on behalf of all gold star families who've lost a loved one.
Stack said he knows his son died doing exactly what he wanted to do with his life and was grateful about how many fellow Arlington Heights residents showed up to honor James' funeral motorcade in November 2010.
"I remember thinking James could not have conceived of so many people paying honor to him that day," Robert Stack said.
While veterans of all wars and branches of the military were honored during Monday's ceremony, retired Major General John Scully, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, especially highlighted Vietnam veterans on the 50th anniversary of the official start of combat operations.
"On this Memorial Day, we remember those who gave everything," Scully said of those who fought in Vietnam. "We do not forget the 10,000 who are still missing in action."
Greg Padovani, chairman of Arlington Heights' Veterans Memorial Committee, said a soldier can die twice - once on the battlefield and once when their name is no longer spoken.
Padovani said Arlington Heights is dedicated to ensuring that such a second death will never befall any of its natives who've fallen in service to their country.