Aurora set to observe Vets Week
Aurora's Veterans Advisory Council is planning Vets Week Aurora beginning on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, and running through Memorial Day.
The weeklong recognition includes the following events:
• The Armed Forces Day Car Show is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at West Aurora Plaza, 2131 W. Galena Blvd. There is a $15 entry fee for all vehicles, 50/50 drawing, and judged show with music.
• The 5K Fun Run, Walk, Woof and Roll is 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 21, at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive. The early registration fee is $10 for kids 10 and younger and $15 for adults and seniors. Registration at the race is $15 for kids 10 and younger and $20 for adults and seniors. Register at eventbrite.com/e/5k-fun-run-walk-woof-and-roll-tickets-33704207191?ref=elink. All runners receive a T-shirt compliments of Grunt Style, a veteran-owned and operated company.
• Veteran Home Ownership 101 is from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.
• Paramount Theatre shows "Saving Private Ryan" as part of its Monday Movie Night series at 7 p.m. Monday, May 22, at 23 E. Galena Blvd. Movie tickets: $1.
• Vet Week Day of Giving is Tuesday, May 23. The veterans council has teamed with the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, the Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233 and the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry. DVNF supplies a truckload of goods for local area veteran organizations, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank passes out food to the first 250 veterans, compliments of the Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233.
• Aurora will be named a Purple Heart City at 6 p.m. during the Aurora City Council meeting in the council chambers at 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora.
• Vets Week Civil War Memorial Dedication begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at one of the first cemeteries in Aurora. Civil War soldiers are buried at Memorial Park, at Flagg Street and Root Street. Civil War re-enactors will be on hand as the soldiers are honored.
• A barbecue fundraiser is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at IBEW 461, 591 Sullivan Road, Aurora. Tickets are $15 and include a choice of pork chops, pork chop/chicken combo, half chicken or prime rib sandwich, along with side dishes.
• Vets Week Welcome Home Vietnam War 50th Commemoration begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 26, at Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave, Aurora. Each Vietnam veteran receives a commemoration pin during the ceremony. Any living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, are eligible to receive a lapel pin regardless of location in which they served.
• A Picnic and Patriotic Concert is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at Cool Acres, in the 500 block of Clearwater Drive, Aurora. Food served from noon to 1 p.m. Music performed by the Chicago Brass Band from noon to 2 p.m. Veterans eat free. For others, the cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for kids 10 and younger.
• Five additional names are added to the Veterans Monument at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 28, at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora. A reception follows the ceremony in the Stover Center. A six-plane flyover takes place during the ceremony.
• Aurora's annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at noon Monday, May 29, at South River and Benton in downtown Aurora.
For information, visit vetsweekaurora.org.