Naperville seeing increase in attendance at Veterans Day services

Whether they served during World War II or in Iraq, at home or abroad, America's veterans will be honored around the country Thursday morning.

Naperville will observe Veterans Day with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 303 E. Gartner Road. The ceremony returns to the park after being observed at the Healing Field of Honor at Naperville's Rotary Hill last November.

“We're back to our regular ceremony, short and sweet,” said Jack Shiffler, Vietnam veteran and past commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.

The event will include a rifle salute, taps and music from the Naperville Municipal Band. VFW Commander Scott Holley and American Legion Post 43 Commander Priscilla Laubscher are scheduled to speak.

Shiffler said 18 years ago the VFW and American Legion teamed up to host the ceremony to commemorate all veterans.

“It's just another way for this city, which has a history of going out of its way for our veterans to say ‘thank you' and also to remember those no longer with us,” Shiffler said. “We're seeing more and more people join us every year for Veterans Day and it's awesome.”

Shiffler said he attributes the increased attendance to people directing their feelings about combat and war more to their elected officials and becoming more supportive of the troops.

“The military is not a democracy,” he said. “Those men and women go where they're told, and don't have any say.”

Thursday's ceremony will go on rain or shine but may be shortened if there is inclement weather.

About 100 area veterans also will visit Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 schools throughout the morning to share their stories and stress the importance of the holiday.

“The kids are great and ask wonderful questions while taking in quite a bit of living history,” he said. “And the veterans enjoy hanging out with them, too. But at 11 a.m. all the vets are back out at the park for the ceremony.”