Veterans to lead Septemberfest parade
As a teen he marched with his dad in Chicago's St. Jude parade, and during Septemberfest, Tom Alderson will be one of that parade's grand marshals.
Master Sgt. Alderson of the Army's 244th Aviation Brigade will march in the Septemberfest parade at 10 a.m. Sept. 3, one of several who accepted the offer from Schaumburg's special events coordinator Roxane Benvenuti.
Benvenuti opened the marshals' positions to Schaumburg servicemen returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The son of retired Chicago Police Det. Stewart Alderson, who now resides in Florida, the younger Alderson discovered the excitement a parade affords when he marched with his dad. He looks forward to joining other servicemen designated as parade marshals to honor those who defend our country.
Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson remarked that he takes pride in recognizing those who serve in the military.
"We strive to recognize the sacrifices our military makes on our behalf, and show them we are grateful for the difficult and dangerous jobs they are doing," the mayor said.
Still a reservist out of Ft. Sheridan, Alderson, 45, returned to the U.S. four years ago. Alderson's unit was responsible for air operations out of Kuwait, supplying food, water and armaments to troops on the move in Iraq.
He and his wife Karen, 43, a Rolling Meadows teacher, have two daughters -- Samantha, 17, and Robyn, 15 -- both of whom attend Schaumburg High School.
Army Master Sgt. Glen Johnson, 54, a reservist stationed at Ft. Sheridan, returned from active duty three years ago after participating in "Operation Enduring Freedom," the first operation in Afghanistan after Sept. 9, 2001.
A native of Arlington Heights, Johnson lives in Schaumburg with his wife Peggy. A member of American Legion Post 2202, he will join Alderson as a parade marshal. Supervising a crew of 12 as a special service installation and maintenance manager, he works for AT&T.
Of his participation in the Septemberfest parade, Johnson says, "I intend to show support for my city and country."
Schaumburg Park District head registrar and parade chairwoman Darlene Smith, who shares duties with co-chair Curt Rogers, himself co-chair of the entire fest, reports that more than 70 units, including eight bands, will make up the Mardi Gras-themed parade.
Awards will be given in various categories: antique auto, specialty vehicle, professional clown, junior and senior color guards, dance group, amateur and commercial floats, adult and high school marching bands and chairman's choice.
"We look for originality and how well a unit is decorated, how unique and if it follows the theme," explains Smith, who served on the committee for 14 years and has been chair for 12.
Smith said that although it sometimes becomes difficult to choose a parade theme, the Mardi Gras theme was selected this year to aid unit organizers in building a colorful float and decorating with ease.
The parade, which steps off at 10 a.m., will follow a route north on Summit Drive from Wise Road to Stock Port Lane. Any other Schaumburg resident who has recently returned from duty in Iraq or Afghanistan may also participate as a parade marshal. For more information, call Benvenuti at (847) 923-3605.
For his part, Alderson, who says he's open to joining a veterans' organization, looks forward to marching in the Septemberfest parade. "I especially want to meet other servicemen and to support them and their commitments," he said.
A graduate of Chicago's Kelvyn Park High School, Alderson has a degree in interdisciplinary studies, and aims to obtain his master's degree in secondary education.
"My dream is to teach history at Schaumburg High School," Alderson said.