Concert series opens with a tribute to troops

As the sun set over the horizon Thursday, more than 300 people gathered in Antioch with lawn chairs, families and friends to honor veterans who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.

To kick off the Salute to the Troops event, two American flags were raised by the Antioch Fire Department while the national anthem played.

"This ceremony was an effort for us to give back to the community and to salute those who have made a difference in our military and our country," said Shawn Roby, special events supervisor for the village. "It was a public community event to recognize those veterans who may have spent four or five years on foreign soil and have never been recognized before."

Many veterans were in attendance and were touched. "For me it was a homecoming from Vietnam," said John Pickelman, who also took part in the ceremony. "I finally got it after 40 years."

The Salute to the Troops was the first of seven free concerts as part of the "It's Thursday" concert series at the William E. Brook Memorial Entertainment Center in Antioch. The concerts will run through Aug. 21.

The series is geared toward residents who want to get out for a community event and not pay a fortune, said Roby. "We hope that the concert series along with the Salute to the Troops ceremony will bring people together," he said.

The raising of the flags was followed by a presentation from guest speaker Army Col. Layton Pennington, who has served with the U.S. military for over 30 years. Pennington specifically recognized veterans from Vietnam and the Marines. He spoke about his own experience in the military, adding that it was a privilege to serve American citizens.

"Personally, if you are a man or a woman and you fight for the right of the citizens, you are the greatest generation of our country," Pennington said. "Since 9/11, all soldiers knew they were headed right into harms way; how can you not call that the greatest generation?"

Following the speech, the audience clapped and sang along to a montage of military songs performed by The Lakes Area Community Band and the Antioch Community Chorus.

The Salute to the Troops ceremony, which was attended by members of Antioch's VFW Post 4551, also featured a wreath-laying ceremony at Antioch's Fallen Soldier Memorial. To conclude the event, the Lake County Marine Corps League Detachment 801 fired three rifle volleys in tribute.