Aurora to host virtual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11

The City of Aurora will host a virtual Veterans Day Ceremony to honor veterans in the state's second-largest city and throughout the country. Hosted by Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, the ceremony will commence at the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11th month.

A small group of veterans in the 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 Irvin, Congressman Bill Foster, and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps; the recitation of a poem by the Aurora Poet Laureate; and a presentation of a significant five-figure financial donation to the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council from Scientel Solutions, a global company headquartered in Aurora.

The centerpiece of the ceremony is a conversation moderated by Mayor Irvin with a panel of local veterans.

Focusing on the theme, "Serving Our Country and Our Community," panelists 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 conclude 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.

The Aurora Veterans Day Virtual Ceremony can be viewed on the city's Facebook page at www.aurora-il.org/CityofAuroraIL.