Fox Valley Veterans Day events
Carpentersville
Parkview Elementary School will host a Veterans Day service at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, Carpenter Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue in Carpentersville. After the students parade to the park, Carpentersville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5915 will post the Colors, followed by remarks by Parkview principal Ellen Bruning and District 300 Superintendent Ken Arndt. The students will offer a pledge and a Veterans Day skit. Soloist Larry Zea will sing "God Bless America" with accompanist Phyllis Connelly, followed by a history of "Taps." The rifle salute by VFW Post 5915 will take place at 11 a.m. sharp, followed by the playing of Taps.
Crystal Lake
• McHenry County College will host a Veterans Day Recognition program beginning with patriotic music by McHenry High School Band and Choir at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the multipurpose room in Building A at the college, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Keynote speaker will be Diann Jabusch, assistant vice president of Information Technology at MCC, who will present a talk titled "The Heroes Among Us" at 9 a.m. Special guest speaker will include Paul Wheeler, chairman of MCC's newly formed MCC Student Veteran's Group. He will present an overview of the group's mission and community service efforts. Wheeler is a third generation member of the military, with his family members serving during a total of five wars. In addition to patriotic music and the speakers, the ceremony will include a posting of the colors by the Combined Services Color Guard with bagpipe music. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Georgianne Cirrincione at (815) 479-7635 or Donna Bieschke at (815) 455-8728.
• The Crystal Lake Historical Society will host a "Union Soldier Statue Brick Dedication" at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Union Cemetery, off Woodstock Street in Crystal Lake. It will include the unveiling of the Union Cemetery Veterans Concourse marker stone, and a brick paver installation ceremony. The Union Soldier Statue restoration project is still seeking funds to complete the restoration.
Elgin
• The city of Elgin will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, just north of the library at 270 N. Grove Ave. For details, call (847) 741-1684.
• In honor of Veterans Day, the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin, will host a free performance by The Falconaires, a division of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The event is free to the public, however tickets are required. To reserve your free tickets, call the box office at (847) 931-5900. For details, visit hemmens.org or usafacademyband.af.mil.
St. Charles
The third annual Veterans Celebration Concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the St. Charles North High School auditorium, off Route 31. This concert is a tribute to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans are invited to attend. The St. Charles North Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and the Varsity Band will play a variety of inspirational pieces as a tribute to the veterans. This concert is free and open to the public, but tickets are limited. To attend, visit veteranscelebration.eventbrite.com. or call (630) 445-1704. For information, visit scnmusic.com.
South Elgin
• The South Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2327 and Ladies Auxiliary present the Veterans Day service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Panton Mill Park, on Water Street.
• Heritage Woods of South Elgin, 700 N. McLean Blvd., will be honoring all veterans with a special Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. There will be a color guard presentation with special guests. Refreshments will be served.