Glenview, Northbrook recognize service and sacrifice with Veterans Day ceremonies
Events recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans were held in Northbrook and Glenview Wednesday to commemorate Veterans Day.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, a Deerfield Democrat who was recently reelected to his seat in the 10th District, said he wanted to make sure veterans were honored, even during this pandemic. The Northbrook Veterans Memorial was one of nine stops the congressman made Wednesday, in addition to video appearances.
During the morning, he met with Northbrook Village President Sandy Frum and Trustee Kathryn Ciesla at Village Green Park, and the trio placed carnations on the plaque at the base of the flagpole.
"This is a day we remind ourselves as a nation the freedoms we enjoy, that the liberty we treasure is hard-fought, hard-earned," Schneider said. "And there are people in every generation who put on the uniform and serve our nation, protect our freedom, and we honor them today."
Frum said Northbrook's Veterans Day event featuring the participation of veterans was virtual this year due to the pandemic.
In Glenview, the Joseph M. Sesterhenn American Legion Post 166 sponsored an in-person ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in the village's downtown. The half-hour event, attended by a few dozen people, included the singing of the national anthem and "God Bless America," the reading of a proclamation by Village President Jim Patterson, a rifle salute by the post's firing line and the playing of taps on trumpet by Glenbrook South seniors McKayla Reuter and Katie Durow.
Post 166 Commander Wayne Carle Sr., noting that this year's Memorial Day ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic, said he was happy that the Veterans Day ceremony was allowed to take place, and he was pleased that so many people attended the outdoor event, wore masks and practiced social distancing.
Pointing to the memorial inscribed with the names of Glenview residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Phil Roseman, a 28-year member of the post and a member of the firing line, said it was important for the ceremony to take place, even during a pandemic.
"It's not so much for the public, but for the people there on the memorial - the Glenview residents who actually died in wars," Roseman said. "We're honoring them."