Buy an 'Always Remember' ribbon for Elmhurst Memorial Day Convoy
This Memorial Day, the City of Elmhurst will again be commemorating fallen veterans in a special and safe way. Although there will be no parade due to COVID-19 guidelines, the "2021 Always Remember Memorial Day Convoy" is a way for the community to continue traditions in a safe manner and come together to pay respects and honor for those who have fallen.
The convoy will include first responder emergency vehicles and preselected special service and military vehicles only.
The route will cover 16 miles of Elmhurst, with vehicles passing through each ward and start at 9:30 a.m. CST. The route begins and ends at the Veteran's Memorial in Wilder Park, stepping off at 9:30 a.m. and concluding with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Memorial. The public is invited to attend the in-person ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial.
Kevin Calkins, a former U.S. Army Specialist 5 who served in the Vietnam War, will serve as the grand marshal.
In 2015, Calkins helped raise funds to install a granite base for an unnoticed ground plaque located on the front lawn of the Wilder Mansion in honor of the 14 Elmhurst residents killed in action in Vietnam.
True Patriots Care will stage groupings of American flags at Elmhurst City Hall, Elmhurst Police Station, both Elmhurst Fire Stations, Post 187 and Wilder Park.
They are encouraging interested spectators to participate in a variety of ways:
• Show your support by decorating the front of your home which could include posting your flag and adding a "Always Remember Memorial Day Convoy" ribbon to your parkway tree. Ribbons will be provided by Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 for a donation of $1, $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 or $100. Ribbons ordered online will be safely home delivered to resident donors by the start of Memorial Day weekend and residents also can pick up ribbons at Post 180 (310 W. Butterfield) via a drive-through table. Ribbons can be purchased online now to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at www.elmhurstchamber.org.
• Visit the Elmhurst Police Department Facebook page for live coverage during the event.
• On Memorial Day at 5 p.m. CST, the ceremony will be played back from earlier in the day along with footage from the convoy and will be available to watch on Elmhurst TV's YouTube channel. This also will be available to watch on Comcast and AT&T Uverse at a later time.
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If your home is on the route, please consider parking your car at the end of your driveway and decorating your vehicle. You can turn your flashers on and wave as the convoy goes by. For a map of the route, go to www.elmhurst.org.
• Listen to patriotic music while watching the convoy by tuning in to the Elmhurst University radio station WRSE on 88.7 FM, or stream the station online at www.wrse887fm.com.
The route is within a quarter-mile walk from most any home in Elmhurst and will traverse many open public parking spots. Feel free to take a walk to the route or find a public parking spot on the route to park your vehicle and watch the 2021 Always Remember Memorial Day Convoy.
Please remember to practice proper social distancing and safety measures. Stand at least 6 feet apart from one another and wear face masks (subject to change based on state requirements). For information, visit www.elmhurst.org.
Join the Elmhurst community in commemorating this day in a safe and smart manner.