DuPage mixes observances with historical perspective

A little historical perspective will be mixed into a Memorial Day observance at the DuPage County Forest Preserve's Kline Creek Farm Monday, while the county will hold a ceremony that focuses on the sacrifices of modern military families Sunday, May 30.

The county event will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in front of the DuPage Veterans Memorial near the pond at the county government complex at the intersection of Manchester and County Farm roads in Wheaton.

County officials said the Memorial Day observance will pay special tribute to local families with members currently serving in the military. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to view the "Rolling Thunder" Motorcycle Ride for Veterans that will be passing by, which officially opens the event.

In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the first floor auditorium at the county administration building at 421 N. County Farm Road.

Monday's ceremony at Kline Creek Farm will keep with the tradition of the 1890s living-history farm. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. at the farm, just south of North Avenue along County Farm Road near West Chicago.

The program is co-hosted by the Center for History in Wheaton and will be reminiscent of the ceremonies conducted in the late 19th century featuring costumed interpreters presenting songs and speeches. In the 1890s, the day was known as Decoration Day and recognized soldiers from the Civil War. Ceremonies held then were community events where graves of soldiers were covered with flowers, forest preserve officials said.

For more information about the forest preserve event, visit dupageforest.org.