Batavia Loyalty Day parade honors troops

Just as the 37th annual Loyalty Day parade was set to start in Batavia on Sunday, the clouds rushed in to hide the sun and drop temperatures a few degrees. But kids, with plastic bags in hand, didn’t mind the chill as they readied themselves for a race to pick up candy.

For many the parade was a fun community event and a chance to stock up on sweets. But for others, the theme of the parade — We Support 10 Years of Operation Enduring Freedom — was a more serious occasion to reflect on the importance of service and patriotism.

Neil Walgenbach, of Batavia, served in Vietnam from 1972 to 1976. Now he has two sons in the Army and one in the Navy. He said he never pushed his kids to follow in his footsteps but his three oldest made the choice after Sept. 11, 2001.

“Right after the attack they pretty much gravitated to the service,” Walgenbach said.

Chris Walgenbach, 25, watched the parade with his father and youngest brother, wearing a Navy sweatshirt.

A few blocks down the parade route, Jim Benson sat wearing his own Navy Windbreaker, enjoying the parade with his wife, Sue, and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sue Benson said the parade is a chance to bring war and military service to people’s attention, especially those who don’t personally know a service member.

“So many times we just take it for granted,” Benson said.

St. Charles resident Chris Johnson, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, walked in the parade with Fox Valley Troop Support. Johnson just returned from Iraq last year and before that he served in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006.

Walking down the sidewalk along the parade route dressed in his Army camouflage, Johnson got stopped by community members, many wanting to say thank you but others wanting to talk. Johnson said he becomes like part of a support group for the parents worried about children who are overseas.

In an era of waning support for military action, Johnson said his own homecoming was “unbelievable.” People stood and cheered for him and his fellow servicemen in the airport and he came home to a banner across his porch.

“It’s an amazing thing,” Johnson said. “We really appreciate it.”