Wanted: Veterans to march in Dundee Memorial Day parade

Why is it becoming so hard to find veterans to participate in the local Memorial Day parade?

That's the question organizers are asking.

They know one of the reasons is the passing of many aging World War II veterans, but they are puzzled as to what other reasons are. Few Korean and Vietnam veterans have marched in past Memorial Day parades.

Since 1950 when the Dundee parade was first held, coordinators could count on World War II veterans to fill it out and make it a respectable hometown parade.

Last year was thin, though, said Bobbie Andresen, parade organizer.

"We had a few younger veterans, but we've seen a definite decrease in the numbers," she said. "We have enough police officers and firefighters and politicians in the parade. And we even have two marching bands from Dundee-Crown (High School) and Carpentersville Middle School, but the older vets are too old to even ride in a car."

This year, she and her colleagues are inviting all Dundee Township residents who served in the military to march in the May 28 parade. They don't have to contact her. All they have to do is show up at the Immanuel Lutheran School parking lot in East Dundee and be ready to walk along Main Street at 2 p.m.

They don't even have to walk. Enough cars can be found, so they are driven to Cal Grafelman Park where the parade ends, Andresen said

She and other organizers realize these are different times and veterans have their reasons for not participating in some events or groups. The parade is a show of national pride, though. The march not only allows spectators to applaud the soldiers and their efforts, but it teaches younger residents respect for those who have served.

The time and day of it can't be the problem. The West Dundee VFW Post has always hosted it on the Sunday before Memorial Day to keep veterans free to attend the following day's events.

The parade dilemma is curious because other events planned for veterans are better attended. A baby shower held earlier this year for expecting veterans was well attended, said Diane Ahrens.

Ahrens is president of the West Dundee VFW Auxiliary, which hosted the shower.

"We had 26 women attend. That was a great turnout," Ahrens said. "We obtained the names of families we invited though local VA hospitals."

Those who attended received free strollers, car seats, diapers and clothing.

Parade marchers don't receive those incentives, but they can show off the pride they have in defending our country.

"I know last year's parade (attendance among veterans) was very, very thin," Ahrens said. "Maybe we can contact the new mothers in this area and invite them to march down Main Street with their babies and strollers. That's an idea."

The free Veterans Day lunch hosted by the Dundee Township Rotary Club has also been well attended in the past two years.

Last year, 140 veterans and their families dined at the VFW post.

"Along with the publicity, we started keeping a list of local veterans," said Mary Stanley, Rotary Club board member. "A few weeks before the lunch, we send them personal invitations."

That list may be the answer to the question Andresen and her colleagues are asking. Even without a personal invitation, all Dundee Township veterans are invited to march in the local parade and see the gratitude neighbors have for the service they gave decades or months or weeks ago, Andresen said.

For more information about the parade or to offer suggestions, call Andresen at (847) 915-2884.