New keynote speaker named for Mount Prospect Memorial Day ceremony

Diane Carlson Evans, a former Army nurse who served in Vietnam and is founder of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, had agreed to be this year's keynote speaker at the Mount Prospect Memorial Day ceremony. Unfortunately, she had to bow out because of a serious medical condition.

Mount Prospect's VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 have named a new keynote for this year's Memorial Day ceremony at the Lions Park Veterans Memorial Band Shell Monday, May 29,

The veterans groups were able to secure Stephanie A. Kifowit, state representative of the 84th House District, to serve as the keynote speaker and grand marshall of the village Memorial Day parade.

Kifowit proudly served her country in the United States Marine Corps. She is a current member of Aurora American Legion Post 84 and the DuPage County Marine Corps League.

Kifowit was an alderman for the city of Aurora for more than nine years. Now, as a full-time state representative, she serves the residents of Aurora, Montgomery, Naperville and Oswego. Kifowit is a current member of several House committees including the Veterans' Affairs Committee. In that capacity, she has sponsored or co-sponsored several House bills that support veterans, many of which have been passed and signed by the governor.

These bills include an important new law that makes many significant improvements to the way Veteran's Service Centers in Illinois are funded and operated. Kifowit and her husband, Steve, a U.S. Army veteran, have two children, Sabrina and Samuel, who is currently enlisted in the Navy and stationed in Japan aboard the USS Ralph Johnson.

The Band Shell ceremony also will feature, among many other things the, Mount Prospect Community Band, the Marching Knights of Prospect High School, Civil War re-enactors with period artillery pieces, a 21-gun salute by the Mount Prospect Veterans Color Guard and, of course, it is anticipated that a great many male and female veterans will attend.

To honor Carlson Evans, VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 have purchased several dozen copies of her book, "Healing Wounds." It recounts her service as a combat nurse and her fight for women to have a place of honor in Washington, D.C. The books will be donated in her name to area schools and libraries.

For additional information about this event, contact Dutch DeGroot at dutch23mp@comcast.net.