Veterans Day events in DuPage urge unity and tolerance
Courage, sacrifice, tolerance, unity and peace were among the values shared Friday morning when dozens of Wheaton residents gathered in Memorial Park to celebrate Veterans Day.
Members of American Legion Post 76 and the post's auxiliary explained how veterans' devotion during wartime can be translated into a devotion to peace and how tolerance can result in even more progress toward a better and happier world.
"In waging war, we have moved forward with a unity of purpose, which made us strong," auxiliary member Cindy Knapp said. "In our constant quest for an honorable world peace, there is need for unity of purpose, if we truly are to move toward a brighter tomorrow."
Other ceremonies took place in West Chicago, Glendale Heights, Warrenville, Glen Ellyn and Villa Park. In Lombard, resident Tom Zilla, who received the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam, made a speech and Glenbard East students played patriotic music. A veterans breakfast also was held in Bensenville.
In Wheaton, American Legion Post 76 Cmdr. Bob Mischler talked about how residents could use not only unity but other virtues that come from waging necessary wars to improve their country as well.
"We remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation's cause," he said. "Out of blood and sweat we learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery and discipline. These are solid foundation stones upon which a great nation is built."
The ceremony included a prayer, a flag and color guard presentation, a rifle salute and a bugler who played taps. At night, on the other side of town, Cantigny Park's parade field glowed with the light from hundreds of luminaria candles to honor veterans.
In Lisle, a ceremony unveiled a new granite veterans memorial with emblems of all five branches of the military at the southeast corner of School Street and Center Avenue. A committee led by Lisle husband and wife Dan and Karen Burris raised more than $115,000 in donations for its construction on park district property.
Schools, businesses and nonprofits contributed to the fundraising campaign and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5696 Trustee Don Smith secured a $16,500 grant from the Home Depot Foundation for landscaping and brick pavers.
"The community came together to make this happen," Dan Burris said.
The yearlong effort helped Karen and Dan with the grieving of their son, Ryan Burris, a 24-year-old Navy sailer who died in May 2015 in the United Arab Emirates. The couple formed helpful bonds with committee members who are also from military families, including Kim Carlson.
"It was something from the heart that we all worked on," Carlson said, "and now we're seeing all the benefits of that."
• Daily Herald staff writer Katlyn Smith contributed to this report.