Memorial Day ceremony planned for Lombard
LOMBARD, Illinois—The Village of Lombard will honor war veterans in a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30 at noon at the Veterans Memorial in Common Park.
Given that 2011 marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of America's involvement in World War II, special recognition will be given to all those individuals who served our country during this time. Special seating will be provided for these veterans and their families in the available tent.
The Memorial Day Committee led by Lombard Police Lieutenant Scott Watkins, extended an invitation to Lombard residents who served in World War II to receive special acknowledgement in this year's ceremony. “We reached out to World War II Veterans in particular this year and we received a significant number of responses. It is through these responses that we found this year's guest speakers,” said Watkins.
Two guest speakers will be featured in the program, a Pearl Harbor Survivor and a United States Marine who was a POW during World War II. The first speaker is Jack Loane who was assigned to the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Loane not only witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor but was later involved in the Naval Armada taking troops to Normandy, France for the D-Day Invasion.
The second speaker, William Chittenden grew up locally and became a Marine who was on duty at the American Embassy in China the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Chittenden was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese for the duration of the war. Chittenden has written a book on his experience as a captive.
Members of the Lombard posts of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion will be participating in the program. Members of the Viet Now will be presenting the Field Cross Ceremony. In addition, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Lombard Memorial Marker which contains the names of Lombard residents who served or were killed in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World Wars I, II and Viet Nam. (No Lombard residents are recorded as being killed in the Korean War.)
The Eastwind Vocalists from Glenbard East High School will be singing the national anthem and other musical selections. All Veterans of the Armed Services, members of the community, and scouts are invited to attend the ceremony.
Watkins has chaired the Memorial Day Committee for several years and reflects on the importance of the community to recognize veterans. “I hope people, especially young people, will honor and remember what our veterans have accomplished and given up for us in order to maintain our freedoms,” said Watkins. “These individuals have made the greatest sacrifice serving our country in times of peace and in times of conflict and war.”
The program will be held at the Common Park rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Lombard Village Hall. If they are able, attendees are asked to walk to the ceremony due to limited parking and to bring a lawn chair. Questions may be directed to Lt. Scott Watkins at (630) 873-4440.