Patriotic Music, Honoring a Hero and Bringing Back Pioneer Memories All Part of GEHS 4th of July

As a marching unit in the Glen Ellyn Independence Day Parade, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society opened their opportunity to include two other organizations as members of their marching unit. Boy Scout Troop 45 marched with the Glen Ellyn Historical Society in 2015 and GEHS Executive Director Karen Hall asked them to join us in 2016. They had received a request from Glen Ellyn Firefighter, Robert Morton to carry a banner, flag and Green Beret in honor of John Scull, who was raised in Glen Ellyn and graduated from Glenbard West High School. John Scull served in Special Forces during the Viet Nam conflict and earned the honor of wearing the Green Beret. He was killed in action in 1966 and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was Morton's best friend while growing up in Glen Ellyn. This is the 50th Anniversary of Scull's death and the scouts carried the Green Beret, the folded flag from the funeral and a banner with Scull's photograph and information about his hero's experience. The music chosen for the marchers was a variety of patriotic marches and songs amplified by GEHS tech team of John Winans, Mike Bradley, Pete Ladesic and Dan Anderson. Leland Livingston and Jean Jeske carried the banner that announced the date and times of the Tavern Day Celebration on Sunday, September 25. The GEHS was proud of their parade entry that included a memory of a fallen soldier, patriotic music that boomed through out the parade route and pioneer interactive opportunities coming in the fall. It was a group effort and a memorable one.