Parade, ceremony, luncheon honor Aurora veterans
Those who wish to honor veterans will have plenty of ways to show their respects in Aurora during this year’s Veterans Day events.
The city is conducting a Veterans Day parade and ceremony, the Fox Valley Park District will host a free luncheon and Illinois Math and Science Academy students will hear from an Air Force speechwriter.
Aurora’s parade, sponsored by the city and Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84, will step off at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Broadway Avenue and Benton Street.
Groups including the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps from East Aurora High School, Aurora Lamplighters Chorus and local veterans’ organizations will march north on Broadway, turn west on Downer Place and end at Grand Army of the Republic Hall, 23 W. Downer Place, where a ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.Aurora resident Christopher Hess, a Sgt. 1st Class in the Illinois Army National Guard, will be the ceremony#146;s keynote speaker. Hess is a 15-year military veteran and Bronze Star recipient who graduated from Aurora Central Catholic High School, Waubonsee Community College and Western Illinois University. After the ceremony, veterans can attend a free lunch at the Fox Valley Park District#146;s Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. While veterans eat free, park district residents who haven#146;t served can join the meal, which runs from noon to 2:30 p.m. Friday, for $7 and nonresidents can attend for $10.#147;This luncheon is a way of saying thanks to veterans for the freedoms and opportunities they#146;ve provided us through their dedicated service,#148; Laurie Hoffman, director of recreation, marketing and communications, said in a news release.Veterans also can enjoy unlimited free visits to the Fox Valley Park District#146;s fitness centers during November. Students at Illinois Math and Science Academy will hear Friday from Lt. Col. Ryan Keeney, a 1993 IMSA graduate who now serves as speechwriter for the U.S. Air Force#146;s vice chief of staff.
If you go
Aurora Veterans Day parade and ceremony
When: Parade steps off at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11; ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Parade proceeds from Broadway Avenue and Benton Street to Downer Place, ending at the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, where the ceremony begins
Cost: Free
Info: aurora-il.org
Veterans Day luncheon
When: Noon to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Where: Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora
Cost: Free for veterans; $7 park district residents; $10 nonresidents
Info: (630) 859-8606 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org