Naperville ceremony draws record crowd of veterans
Naperville Mayor George Pradel said he had no trouble finding children who understood the meaning of patriotism Thursday while visiting four schools in observance of Veterans Day.
At each stop, Pradel said, he asked students whether any of them had a loved one serving overseas.
“So many hands went up, it just kind of tears you apart,” said Pradel, who served in the Marine Corps. “They know who the veterans are now it's their moms and dads and brothers and sisters.”
At a Veterans Park ceremony later in the day, Pradel told a record-breaking crowd that Veterans Day has “taken on a new posture” in the area.
“The atmosphere we're in, with the war, it's renewing our faith in our country and man,” he said. “It really makes you think about our security here and why we're free.”
An estimated 125 veterans turned out for Naperville's annual Veterans Day service, co-sponsored by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post 43.
Vietnam veteran Terry Jelinek, the Legion's senior vice commander, said it was the largest showing of servicemen and women in decades of putting on the event.
Hundreds of nonmilitary supporters turned out as well.
“Since 9/11, people are definitely more veteran-conscious,” Jelinek said. “We truly believe we're getting an increased showing of patriotism here in town. It's really heartwarming.”
Thursday's ceremony returned to Veterans Park on Gartner Road after being at Naperville's Healing Field of Honor at Rotary Hill last fall.
It included a 21-gun salute, the playing of taps and music from the Naperville Municipal Band.
Among those saluted was retired Army infantryman Arnie Massier, 88, of Naperville, who wore a cap that was adorned with military awards.
Massier, who said he was captured by German forces in Italy in 1943 and later escaped, said those who haven't served may never fully understand what it's like to go to war.
But it “felt good,” he said, to see so many willing to express appreciation and remembrance.
“I like the way people are behind them (veterans),” Massier said. “This is the biggest day we've had out here.”