New Memorial Day event to honor the fallen in a way 'they'd appreciate'

The organizers of a new Memorial Day event called Tribute to the Fallen expect around 1,000 people at HOME Bar in Arlington Heights on Saturday night.

Tribute to the Fallen is for veterans and was created by two veteran-founded organizations, Grunt Style, a patriotic apparel company, and A Warrior's Mind, a nonprofit which aims to bring the military community together.

"Grunt Style and A Warriors Mind believe Memorial Day is a day of celebration that helps to provide healing and pay tribute," the groups said in a news release. "They want to honor those that have fallen in a way and with an event they'd appreciate and enjoy if they were here to join them."

The event will kick off at 8 p.m. at HOME Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, which donated space to the organizers. Live music by local country band Six String Crossing will begin at around 9 p.m.

"It's a party, it's a celebration," said Beth Dillon, a spokeswoman for the event. "It's veterans getting together to celebrate the day but not in a sorrowful way; to celebrate in a way that the fallen would appreciate in a way if they were here."

Proceeds from the event will go to veterans organizations including A Warrior's Mind and Nine Line Foundation, which seeks to help severely wounded veterans. The cover charge is $10.