2017 Memorial Day Observance

2017 Memorial Day Observance

Monday, May 29, 2017

10:00 a.m.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Oakwood Cemetery

The annual Community Memorial Day ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Avenue and York Street. The service, organized this year by American Legion Post 300, is comprised of members American Legion, its Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 and its Auxiliary.

American flags are on the gravesites of veterans in all four of the cemeteries. The ceremony includes the 21-gun salute and the laying of the wreath at the base of the monument. West Chicago Community High School Band, under the direction of Steve Govertsen, plays a medley of patriotic songs. Prior to the community ceremony, members of the Legion and the VFW visit Glen Oak Cemetery on Arbor Avenue, Calvary Cemetery on East Washington Street, and St. John Cemetery in Winfield. At each stop, they honor those who have served with the 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps."

The members of the American Legion Auxiliary are in charge of the Buddy Poppy program, which benefits disabled veterans who make the red paper poppies. They are distributing the poppies Friday and Saturday, May 26, and 2, at several locations in the community, plus at the cemetery on Memorial Day. Persons also may contribute to this fund by making a check payable to American Legion Axillary, write "poppy fund" in memo and mail to American Legion Post 300, Attn: Legion, Auxiliary. 123 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185.

This information was extracted from the column/blog of Merle Burleigh.