Girl, 16, who interviewed 50 WW II vets to speak at Des Plaines ceremony
The Des Plaines Memorial Day ceremony will feature a speech by a 16-year-old Elburn girl who has interviewed more than 50 World War II veterans and documented their stories as part of her "Legacy of Our Fathers" project.
Ellie Rutan will wear an original WW II Navy Nurse Corps uniform while delivering her speech, "Sacrifice: The Privilege of Free Men." The ceremony will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, 2200 Lee St. The Des Plaines Community Band will perform.
The event, hosted by VFW Post 2992 with Cmdr. Michael Lake and co-hosted by Col. Jill Morgenthaler, will mark the 75th anniversary of the beginning of World War II. Several of the veterans Ellie interviewed will be in attendance. There will also be WW II uniform displays.