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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Spirit of the American Navy’ will follow veterans in Jaycees Labor Day Parade

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When the Naperville Jaycees Labor Day Parade steps into action at 10AM Mon., Sept. 2, ten veterans from the American Legion Post 43 and VFW Post 3873 again will be front and center to present the “Colors” from their location at Fifth Avenue at Mill Street.

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2012 Jaycees Labor Day Parade

And this year the “Spirit of the American Navy” sculpture will follow the veterans who represent the different branches of service in which they served.

The sculpture will be the second time a piece of art work by E. M. Viquesney, designed to honor the veterans and casualties of World War I, has been featured in a Naperville parade.  The first time in 2002, a cut-out replica of the “Spirit of the American Doughboy” bronze sculpture in Burlington Square Park was showcased on a float in Naperville’s Memorial Day Parade to help raise awareness and funds for the rejuvenation of the artwork that stood atop a pedestal near the train station.

More than a decade ago, local artist Dee Pasternak had spearheaded that restoration project for nearly two years, coining the slogan, “Save Our Doughboy,” to raise funds to replenish the weathered and damaged pressed copper sculpture that had been first dedicated in 1926. Her aim had been to restore the sculpture to its original splendor and enhance its setting in the park.

Navy spirit arrives _DSC1114
“The Spirit of the American Navy” arrived at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 in late June. Recently, the sculpture has been standing in City Hall while fundraising is in progress.

An earlier post explained how the “Spirit of the American Navy,” purchased by Century Walk, arrived here in late June 2013 with the hope also to become a memorable addition to Burlington Square Park.

A fundraising campaign is now in progress. No donation is too small or to big as Century Walk aims to raise $25,000.  An anonymous donor has offered to match the first $5,000 donated from the public. Donations can be mailed to Century Walk Corporation, 34 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL  60540.

“I know that this will be a very well received as part of the Parade,” said parade entry organizer Wayne Fischer, a Past Commander of the Americn Legion Post 43.

Focus on Labor Day!

The Labor Day Parade starts at 10AM. After veterans present the Colors at the corner of Mill Street and 5th Avenue, they will proceed along the parade route through downtown Naperville.

After the Labor Day Parade, veterans—whether they participated in the parade or not— are invited to the Sponsor Tent area of the Last Fling, compliments of the Last Fling Committee.

A free concert on Rotary Hill will begin at 1PM featuring LiveWire, followed at 3PM with a performance by Jessica Rae.

The final day of the four-day festival opens at 10AM on Labor Day and will wrap up another year at 6PM.

Celebrate safely.

Thanks, Naperville Jaycees!

 

 

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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