Naperville parade's grand marshal urges support for those in uniform
Some in the military refer to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as "friends and neighbors wars."
"Unless you have neighbors or friends involved in the conflicts, it's pretty much business as usual in this country. There's no national awareness on a daily level that we're involved in a huge conflict with critical outcomes," said Maj. Gen. Mark W. Anderson, mobilization assistant to the commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base.
Anderson hopes to raise awareness of how the nation can support those in uniform when he speaks Monday, May 31, as grand marshal of Naperville's Memorial Day parade.
The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. from Jackson Avenue and West Street. This year's route has been tweaked a bit. The group of bands, veterans and Scouts will head east on Jackson, north on Washington Street, then east on Benton to Central Park.
The Naperville Municipal Band and the veterans will actually start at the back this year, then march past the high school and middle school bands and Scouts who typically don't get to see them.
The Navy Band Great Lakes and Recruit Honor Guard from the Great Lakes Recruit Training Command also will be marching. In addition, the parade will include American flags from last fall's Healing Field of Honor that filled Rotary Hill.
About 12:15 p.m., there will be a program at the Community Concert Center in Central Park. Anderson said the day will be one of both celebration and remembrance.
"We celebrate the nation's heritage and service of men and women of the armed forces but also pause to remember those who paid the ultimate price," he said.
Parade marshal will be Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 trustee George McKissick; Officer of the Day is Mike McGrath, a past commander of the VFW Post 3873.
Monday morning there will be several brief services around Naperville as well, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Cmdr. Dan Shanower/Sept. 11 Memorial; 8:30 a.m. at Veteran's Park; 8:50 a.m. at the Burlington Park Doughboy sculpture; 9:15 a.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery; 10 a.m. at the GAR Monument in Naperville Cemetery; and 10:40 a.m. at the corner of Webster and Jackson.
Monday's events are organized by Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post 43.