On Memorial Day, Northbrook honors those who gave supreme sacrifice

Northbrook honored fallen service members who gave the supreme sacrifice for their nation with a Memorial Day parade and ceremony Monday.

Nearly 500 people lined the 1.5-mile parade route, which started at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Western Avenue, then moved east to Meadow Road and south to Shermer Road before dispersing at Village Green Park, where a ceremony was held on a baseball diamond.

During the parade, a Northbrook Police department motorcycle ridden by Sgt. Chris Lacina and a handful of fire department vehicles led the way for members of American Legion Post 791, who were followed by various groups including Scouts and marching bands.

"Every day is a great day. I have my faith, my family, and live in the greatest country in the world," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Mukoyama of Glenview during the ceremony. "I say this every day, every chance I get.

"It comes from my experience as a young infantry officer in combat. I didn't know sometimes whether I would be alive the next moment, much less to see the next sunrise."

Before the ceremony, Mukoyama said the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor the memory of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

"One million have made that supreme sacrifice over the history of our nation," Mukoyama said. "For those of us who are living, the heroes are the ones who didn't come back."