Aurora's patriotic parade celebrates local veterans

Aurora residents will observe Memorial Day Monday with the city's first parade of the year.

City special events coordinator Sanura Young said the theme for this year's parade is "Aurora Honors our Patriots."

"Last year we celebrated our heritage with our parade, and this year we're celebrating our proud patriots and veterans," Young said.

The procession, which will feature as many as 50 Aurora veterans, will step off at noon Monday from South River and Benton streets. Pre-event observances begin at 11 a.m. at the reviewing stand at 20 E. Downer Place.

Young said about 70 units are scheduled to participate, including the headlining South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble from Chicago. The Aurora American Legion Band and several high school and junior high marching bands and veterans' groups also will march and perform.

Honor Guard Chicago, which is a nonprofit organization that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials, also will participate in the parade.

"Aurora is definitely the parade to see this year because we celebrate our local schools and businesses in our parades," Young said. "We really put our community on display and show what we have to offer."