Suburban Veteran's Day events
Algonquin
Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition are invited to attend Stand Down from 9 a.m. on Nov. 10 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11, Veterans Day at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin. Call NASA Education at (866) 338-4968 toll-free for more information. See full story in the Neighbor section Monday, Nov. 10.
Arlington Heights
Nov. 11, 11 a.m. in front of American Legion Post 208, 121 N. Douglas Ave.
Aurora
The Veteran's Day Parade, sponsored by Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84, will step off at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Benton and Water Streets in Aurora. The parade route will proceed North on Broadway to Downer Place and west to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall. Included in this year's parade will be the Marmion Academy Flannigan Rifles, East Aurora High School NJROTC, the Chicago Highland Rifles, the Aurora Lamplighter Chorus and many veterans organizations. The keynote speaker Colonel Layton H.M. Pennington, Chief of Staff, 3/75th BCTB will lead the veterans in the parade. The ceremony "Honoring All Who Served" will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the GAR Memorial Hall and conclude with a military rifle salute by local veteran's organizations at 11 a.m. The GAR will be open for the public to view the improvements made during the current renovation project, prior to and after the ceremony, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. In addition to local veterans and military organizations, participants will include the award-winning 50-member Marmion Flannigan Rifles, the East High NJROTC Unit, the Aurora Lamplighters Barbershop Chorus and the Chicago Highland Rifles. For information, contact the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (630) 844-4731 or visit www.aurora-il.org and go to Special Events.
Barrington
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Veterans Memorial, Cook and Main streets. barringtonvfw.org.
Batavia
• The Batavia Overseas Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1197, 645 S. River St., will host a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the hangar. Mulligan stew will be served. For details, visit bataviavfw.org or call (630) 879-9630.
• Batavia Cares is sponsoring a Veteran's Forum, in cooperation with the city of Batavia, Batavia Unit District 101 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The forum will be held in the Batavia City Hall council chambers, 100 Island Ave. It is broadcast live on BATV Channel 17. Veterans from World War II through Operation Iraq Freedom will be present to answer questions from students from the Batavia Schools. There will also be displays of military memorabilia. The public is invited to attend this event give the opportunity of the students and the community to hear the experiences of these men and women who have served our country. Veterans interested in participating in the forum may call Ralph Gebes, (630) 363-3646.
• Rotolo Middle School, 1501 S. Raddant Road in Batavia, will have a Veteran's Day Assembly from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. There will be a flag ceremony, student and veteran speakers, and music by the school band. This is an annual ceremony for the seventh-graders and community at the middle school.
Buffalo Grove
Nov. 11, 12:15 p.m., with program at 1:30 p.m., Buffalo Grove High School, 1100 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. Heather Braoudakis will sing patriotic songs. Presentation of colors by Marine Air Control Group 48, Great Lakes. Service Flag Ceremony by Champion Eagles Color Guard Post 208 American Legion Arlington Heights, Music by Brass Quintet from United States Navy Band, Great Lakes. Call Terri Ebner at (847) 850-2117.
Crystal Lake
McHenry County College will host a Veterans Day Recognition program at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the Multipurpose Room in Building A at the college, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. For details, call MCC Veterans Day Committee members Dori Smith, at (815) 455-8559 or Donna Bieschke, at (815) 455-8728. See full story in the Neighbor section Monday, Nov. 10.
Des Plaines
Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Lake Park, near Lee Street and Howard Avenue, Ret. Marine Col. Jill Morgenthaler of Des Plaines will speak.
Elburn
• The village of Elburn invites the community to attend the annual Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The parade begins at the American Legion Post, 112 N. Main then proceeds south on Main Street (Route 47), turning east on North Street to end at the Veterans Memorial near village hall. For details, visit www.elburn.il.us.
Elgin
As part of Elgin's Veterans Day celebration, Colonel Herman Stacy Clardy III of the United States Marine Corps will be the special guest speaker at "The Elgin Experience" movie meeting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the Marcus Theater in Elgin at 10 a.m. See full story in the Neighbor section Monday, Nov. 10. For details on the meeting and presentation or The Elgin Experience, call Kimberly Knes at Elgin State Bank at (847) 888-7979.
Elk Grove Village
Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Pavilion Flag Pole, 1100 Wellington. Honor guard to fire off a round and place wreaths.
Geneva
• Honoring U.S. military veterans on Nov. 11 each year is a tradition that dates to the end of the First World War. The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva also follows its own newer tradition: a Veterans Service dedicated to members, friends, and family who have served their country in the military. Personal experiences typically form the core of the Veterans Service, with outside guests occasionally invited to share their own military memories. This year, the stories focus on coming home from war, with remembrances from a World War II German Army POW as well as soldiers, sailors, and a former peace activist from the congregation. The Veterans Service will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at the church, Second and James streets. Veterans of the Army, Air Force, and Navy will lead the service along with the Rev. Adam Robersmith. Visitors are welcome. For information, visit uusg.org or call (630) 232-2350.
• Geneva High School will host Food for Flight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the school's Viking Commons, 416 McKinley Ave. Food for Flight is a chili dinner fundraiser for Honor Flight Chicago featuring three types of chili (red, white, and vegetarian) and salad made by the GHS Culinary Classes and bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. The evening will include various speakers and performances from selected Geneva High School musical ensembles. Tickets are $10 each with all proceeds benefiting Honor Flight Chicago. Honor Flight Chicago is a nonprofit organization that sends World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. There have already been five flights and plans for many more. For details or tickets, call (630) 208-5091.
• The social studies departments and social studies clubs of both Geneva Middle School North and South will host the 12th annual Veteran's Day Ceremony. It will include student speeches and performances by Geneva Middle School North's eighth-grade band and the combined North and Geneva Middle School South eighth-grade choirs. This year's keynote speaker is Captain Van Stone, a Vietnam veteran who was awarded a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts. Students are invited to bring the veterans in their lives to attend. The ceremony will be from 7:30 to 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Geneva Middle School North, 1357 Viking Drive, Geneva. The purpose of the Veteran's Day Ceremony is to honor those men and women who have so faithfully served the United States, allowing us to maintain our freedom. For details, visit www.geneva304.org/gmsn. After the Veteran's Day Ceremony, veterans will be invited into the team centers of both middle schools for special activities with the students who invited them. This will last from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at which time all guests will be asked to leave the schools so that the regular school day can resume.
Grayslake
Veterans breakfast: Friday, Nov. 14, Grayslake Central High School, 400 N. Lake St., Grayslake. The Key Club and Public Service Practicum class will host a breakfast to honor local veterans. The breakfast will feature performances by the GCHS choir and band, a student presentation of gratitude, and an opportunity for veterans to share their experiences with students. Any veteran who would like to attend can RSVP by calling (847) 986-3334.
Hoffman Estates
Nov. 11, 10:45 a.m., Veterans Memorial site at police department, 1200 Gannon Drive. Call Lt. J.C. Páez at (847) 781-2844.
Indian Trails library
11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 11, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. The library will be presented a congratulatory certificate and a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol Building. The Color Guard will also be on hand. Call (847) 459-4100.
Lake Zurich
• Tuesday, Nov. 11, Volle's Bridal & Boutique, 53 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. The store joins Brides Across America to give away more than 100 gowns to military brides-to-be. To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Call (847) 438-7603 or e-mail allbridal@aol.com.
• Letter Writing Campaign: Through Sunday, Nov. 16, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Send messages of support to American troops via the library; drop boxes will be placed in the lobby. Address unsealed letters to "Dear Military Person." No postage is needed. For information, call (847) 438-3433 or stop by the library's information desk.
Lincolnshire
Veterans' Art: Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, The Clubhouse at Sedgebrook, Sedgebrook Retirement Community, 800 Audubon Way, Lincolnshire. Exhibit curated by the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum will feature art and memorabilia from U.S. veterans of World War II through the Iraq war.
Lindenhurst
11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Lindenhurst Veterans Memorial, at the entrance to Lindenhurst village hall, 2301 E. Sand Lake Road. Ceremonies will include the U.S. Army Color Guard, the Lakes High School Band, and the Lakes High School contest winners. The keynote speaker will be Col. Charles S. Dunston, USMC, Commander Western Sector, United States Military Entrance Processing Command. All are invited.
Mount Prospect
Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m., Lions Park, 411 S. Maple St., beginning at Lions Park Recreation Center marching to Veterans Memorial Band Shell. Speech by Ret. Lt. Col. John A. DeReu, signing by members of St. Sicilia Catholic Church choir and "Taps" by Korean War veteran Steve Chmela.
Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m., Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Earl D. Epsteen will share his experiences as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II and describe how he transported troops to Omaha Beach in support of the D-Day invasion and how his transport ship survived a direct hit by a German torpedo. Mppl.org/events or (847) 253-5675.
Naperville
Naperville will observe Veterans Day with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Veteran's Park, 303 E. Gartner Road. The event will include a rifle salute, taps and music from the Naperville Municipal Band. Commanders from both the VFW and American Legion are scheduled to speak. Tuesday's ceremony will go on rain or shine but may be shortened if there is inclement weather.
North Aurora
• The village of North Aurora invites the community to the North Aurora Veterans Day Ceremony at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Join them on Veterans Day as they honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have answered the call to protect and serve the nation in order to defend the freedom that we, the people of the United States sustain. The North Aurora Veterans Memorial is located at the intersection of Farview Drive and Willow Way, near the Willow Way/Oak Street intersection. Members of the Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard will be on hand to officially raise the memorial flags. For information, call North Aurora Village Hall at (630) 897-8228.
Palatine
Nov. 11, 10:25 a.m. Veterans Memorial at Community Park, Wood Street and Northwest Highway. Hosted by the American Legion Post 690. Color guard and rifle team with remarks by Legion members and Mayor Rita Mullins. Keynote address by Legion Cmdr. Wally Degner.
Prospect Heights
Nov. 11, 7 p.m. Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St., Bill Wagner, former radio operator and gunner on B-17 Flying Fortresses and a POW during World War II visits. To register, call (847) 259-3500, ext. 35, or visit phpl.info.
Schaumburg
Nov. 11, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Town Square, Schaumburg and Roselle roads, with presentations by fire department, VFW Post 2202, a ceremonial gun salute and closing remarks by First Class Petty Officer Amy Nevens.
St. Charles
• St. Charles North High School will present its second annual Veterans Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the high school auditorium, 255 Red Gate Road. Enjoy this free concert featuring the school's band and choir members. It will feature all-American composers such as Aaron Copland, Henry Fillmore and John Philip Sousa. To ensure seats, visit www.scnmusic.com/tickets.
Streamwood
Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road. Salutes all of America's men and women in uniform.
Waukegan
Parade at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Grand and Genesee in Waukegan, ceremony at 11:11 a.m. at West and Washington, Waukegan. Refreshments will be served after the parade. For information, call (847) 599-2949.
Wheeling
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Member of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to visit. Library will be presented a certificate and a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol Building. The Color Guard will also be on hand. (847) 459-4100.
2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10. Indian Trails Public Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. World War II veteran and combat photographer Bill Lueders will show rarely seen footage of newsreels produced internally for the military. Registration is required; call (847) 459-4100 or online at indiantrailslibrary.org.