Wheaton paying homage to those who serve

Thousands of people will once again line the streets of downtown Wheaton Monday to honor veterans during the city's annual Memorial Day parade.

This year's procession - which will include dozens of organizations, school marching bands and representatives from the police and fire department - steps off at 10 a.m. from Memorial Park.

"I think it's essential that we pay homage to the men and women who have given their lives defending our country," Wheaton Councilman Tom Mouhelis said. "We should also think about those who have served and who are serving."

Organizers said the Memorial Day parade is a physical reminder of what servicemen and servicewomen have done to support the country.

"I am not going to say it's a somber parade," said Steve Fixler, commander of the American Legion Post No. 76. "But it's not the kind of a parade where people are jumping up and down and blasting horns. We don't hand out candy. We don't do any of the hoopla stuff. It's not like the Fourth of July."

Even politicians refrain from campaigning.

"They are just walking in the parade with the rest of us," said Fixler, adding that there is no grand marshal.

The procession will go south on Hale to Wesley Street, then west on Wesley to West Street. The parade then goes south on West Street to Wheaton Cemetery, where the graves of veterans will be decorated with American flags.

A ceremony at the cemetery, which is expected to start around 11 a.m., will include comments from Fixler.