Veterans Day events happening across the suburbs
Communities across the suburbs will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with ceremonies and virtual programs. Due to the resurgence of coronavirus, we recommend confirming events in advance. Here are a few of the events planned in the suburbs in honor of the men and women who have served the United States in the armed forces:
Arlington Heights
10 a.m. Wednesday at 800 W. Oakton St., Arlington Heights. Luther Village will hold a Veterans Day car parade. A “Parade Car” will lead the parade past a reviewing stand (on Village Drive) and past veterans at Luther Village, through the center of the complex and around the perimeter to the final point, where each will receive a gift bag in thanks for their participation. Lineup starts at 9:30 a.m. For details or to participate, email Linda Smith, linda.smith@lulife.org.
Aurora
The City of Aurora will host a virtual Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, on Facebook Live at
www.facebook.com/cityofaurorail. Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 will begin the ceremony with a live in-person three-volley salute and the playing of taps at the Aurora G.A.R. Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, before transitioning to the virtual presentation. The ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Richard Irvin, a U.S. Army veteran; Congressman Bill Foster; and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran; the recitation of a poem by the Aurora Poet Laureate; and a presentation of a financial donation to the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council from Scientel Solutions. A conversation panel, moderated by Mayor Irvin, with local veterans focusing on the theme, "Serving Our Country and Our Community." They will share their experiences while on active duty and their decision to return to Aurora to be of service to the community. Panelists are in law enforcement, public service, and small business owners. The ceremony will end with an announcement about the city's new Gifts from Home initiative that will provide holiday gifts to active military personnel, and a roll call of members of local veterans organizations who have passed away since last year's ceremony.
College of DuPage
To honor Veterans Day, the college's Veterans Services office is highlighting student veterans through its Facebook page throughout the month and college President Brian Caputo will have a filmed message posted on Nov. 11. Visit www.facebook.com/CODVeteransServices/.
Des Plaines
11 a.m. Wednesday at Lake Park Veterans Memorial, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. Des Plaines American Legion Post 36's planned Veterans Day observance will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
DuPage County
In lieu of its annual Veterans Day ceremony, DuPage County will provide a virtual gathering place to celebrate veterans. The county's Information Technology and Geographic Information System teams created an interactive Veterans Day portal, which can be found at www.dupageco.org/veteran. The site allows residents to create their own Honor Post highlighting their loved one or friend, along with a photo and written tribute. The website also features quotes, poems, and videos for tribute, educational, and historical information surrounding the Veterans Day holiday.
Elgin
Gail Borden Public Library will hold its Veterans Voices program online starting at 1 p.m. on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at gailborden.info/veterans. It will include videos of individual veterans talking about their experiences, two panel discussions with several veterans discussing their military work, as well as a presentation by Elgin historian and Daily Herald columnist Jerry Turnquist, who will discuss the history of Elgin's Veterans Memorial Park. Free.
Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn American Legion Salutes Our Veterans will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the downtown fire station, Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The Glen Ellyn American Legion Post 3 will be in front from 11 a.m. to noon holding a banner that salutes all veterans in celebration of Veterans Day. Drive by and join in the salute to our country's heroes. For information, contact Mike Formento of Glen Ellyn American Legion Post 3 at mikeformento@outlook.com or (630) 546-1780.
Glendale Heights
The village presents a ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday marked by a flag and color guard presentation, rifle salute, and a tribute to the “Fallen Warriors” at Veterans Memorial Park, 220 Civic Center Plaza. Please wear a face covering and remember to social distance throughout the event. Visit glendaleheights.org.
Hanover Park virtual observance
7 p.m. Wednesday. The keynote speaker will be Angela Kruger, who enlisted as a flight medic in the United States Air Force in 1996 and deployed to the United Arab Emirates in support of Operation South Watch, serving as one of only two medics caring for a base of 250 soldiers. Adam Allison of Evangel Church of Hanover Park will offer the invocation. Held via Facebook Live. Visit www.facebook.com/VillageofHanoverPark or www.hpil.org.
Harvard
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, 7319 Maxon Road, Harvard, is hosting a free Veterans Appreciation Event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. All veterans get a free box lunch and giveaway. In 2019, BraveHearts served more than 1,000 veterans. Sign up on Eventbrite.com.
Highland Park virtual observance
11 a.m. Wednesday. Representatives from the American Legion Post 145, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4737 and Jewish War Veterans 29 will be present. Mayor Nancy Rotering and other special guests will speak. The Highland Park High School Brass Quintet will perform patriotic music. The program will be held via Zoom; for the link, visit cityhpil.com.
Lisle
For Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, Lisle will bring you content to honor and remember veterans on social media. Visit lisleparkdistrict.org.
Lombard
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, join Lombard's fall blood drive to honor veterans. There will be two locations: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the mobile coach parked outside the main lower entrance by the VonMauer at Yorktown Shopping Center and 1:30 to 7 p.m. at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Every presenting donor will receive a drawstring bag as a thank you. For more information, visit villageoflombard.org/blooddrives or contact Carol Bauer at (630) 620-5712.
Mount Prospect virtual observance
10 a.m. Wednesday. The Veterans Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Prospect VFW Post 1337 and American Legion 525, will be live streamed and can be accessed live on cable channel 17 on Comcast or WOW, or access the recording on the village's YouTube channel that same day after noon. Visit www.mountprospect.org.
Palatine
11 a.m. Wednesday at Community Park, corner of Wood Street and Northwest Highway, Palatine. Held by Palatine American Legion Post 690. If the weather turns bad, the ceremony will move to Cutting Hall, just west of the park. Masks must be worn and social distancing observed (unless a family) at the park. Visit www.alpost690.us.
St. Charles
The St. Charles Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, outside the St. Charles Veterans Center, 311 N. Second St., Suite 109. Visit stcharlesveteranscenter.org.
Sugar Grove
Waubonsee Community College will celebrate Veterans Day with a virtual event Wednesday, Nov. 11. Join them in celebrating Veterans Day and honoring all the men and women who have served. For more information, contact Student Life at (630) 466-2369 or studentlife@waubonsee.edu. Visit guides.library.waubonsee.edu/veteransday.
Wheaton
There will be a Field of Honor Display from sunrise to dusk at Memorial Park, 208 Union Ave. Fifty flags will be raised at sunrise and lowered at dusk to honor military service personnel and veterans from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/field-of-honor-display/.
Other events
Virtual discussion with Lalena Zoe Magnetta
11 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Join the Dunn Museum for a special online Veterans Day discussion with Navy veteran Lalena Zoe Magnetta from Grayslake. Participants will hear about Magnetta's experience as a female veteran and have the opportunity to ask her questions. She began her military service in the wake of 9/11 and served onboard aircraft carriers participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Register by midnight on the day of the program at www.lcfpd.org. Email AskAnEducator@lcfpd.org with questions or concerns the day of the program.
Northwest Community Healthcare
Through Wednesday, Nov. 11. Through Veterans Day, Northwest Community Healthcare will be honoring members of the NCH community who have served in the armed forces online at www.facebook.com/NCHonline.
Palatine household item drive
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 12, at the American Legion, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Palatine American Legion Post 690 will be collecting household items for veterans who are moving into their first apartment or home after being homeless as part of a program for Military Outreach USA. New personal hygiene items, everything for the bathroom and miscellaneous items such as smoke detectors, light bulbs, laundry baskets and detergent will be collected. Call (847) 359-1606, email clubadmin@alpost690.us or visit www.alpost690.us.