The Naperville Memorial Day Parade along Jackson Ave. & Washington St. stepped off Monday morning from Centennial Beach at 10:30AM. The Parade route was lined with thousands of patriotic spectators, often 7-10 deep along Jackson Ave., to honor the sacrifices and service of America’s military and their families. The Memorial Day Parade route followed Jackson to Washington to Benton and ended with a special observance and wreath laying in Central Park.
Jack Shiffler, who served in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam, was Parade Marshall. Cliff Preston, who served as a Navy Seabee in World War II, was Officer of the Day.
NCTV17 videotaped the parade featuring colorful narrative by Naperville resident, historian and Vietnam veteran Steve Hyett. It will air Sunday evening on NCTV17 at 7PM and throughout the week, including 9AM Sat., May 31, and 8PM Sun., June 1. Visit www.nctv17.com for additional updates.
Sixty-eight entries were presented during the parade, including vintage vehicles carrying Gold Star families and veterans, the Naperville Municipal Band in new uniforms, the Navy Band Great Lakes, Firefighters Highland Guard bag pipers as well as marching bands and fiddlers from local middle and high schools.
Stu Carstens again arranged for all the antique cars and vintage vehicles. Naperville Trolley and Tours also participated.
Note several photos of retired Navy Commander Margaret Ruppert, now 99, as she rode in a red 1946 Town and Country convertible owned by Naperville resident Steve Grobl. Â The vintage “woodie” is emblazoned with a sign that says “Cmdr. Margaret Ruppert, Navy. She’s 99!”
According to Grobl, this past Friday, during the graduation of 550 Navy recruits at Great Lakes, Commander Ruppert was honored as the oldest living Navy Nurse in America. Â Commander Ruppert also is a graduate of Great Lakes.
Photos! Photos! Photos!
To view the entire collection of 580-plus photos, in no particular order, of the Naperville Memorial Day Parade and Observance in Central Park, visit positivelynaperville.smugmug.com or on Google Plus at plus.google.com/+Positivelynaperville/photos.
Jim Hoch has provided another link of photos in the James Hoch Photography gallery.
Thanks to the City of Naperville, Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, American Legion Post 43, local veterans’ organizations, local musicians and everyone who planned and participated in the 2014 Memorial Day observance. Peace.
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