UPDATE: 2:30PM May 25 /Â Thanks to all the marching bands that performed patriotic music in the Naperville Memorial Day Parade to honor the supreme sacrifices of military families. Thanks also to all parade participants and spectators for their can-do community spirit, demonstrating that Naperville shows up to pay tribute, rain or shine.
Though nobody seemed to mind intermittent sprinkles along the parade route during the first hour, the skies opened up about 11:30AM— and so did thousands of umbrellas.
UPDATE: 5PM May 25 /Positively Naperville gallery of photos, featuring the 2015 Memorial Day Parade from start to finish!
Veterans plan Memorial Day schedule
Early on Memorial Day, veterans’ grave sites had been decorated with American flags and flowers at local cemeteries throughout the city, in advance of observances and wreath-laying ceremonies scheduled throughout the morning.
Original Post: 7:55AM / Veteran, public safety, community and business leaders will join together today for a Memorial Day wreath laying at local parks and cemeteries as they remember all military and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
The first service in Naperville begins at 8AM at the 911/Dan Shanower Memorial on the Riverwalk behind City Hall. Â If any change to the schedule such as canceling the parade is made because of threatening weather, the decision will be made at 9:30AM May 25 and posted here.
UPDATE: 8:50AM!  According to Parade Chairman Terry Jelinek who just heard from the Police Chief, the Memorial Day Parade is a go! The current wind and rain are just passing through town.  It’ll be gone in plenty of time for the parade to step off at 10:30AM in downtown Naperville. Plus, a little rain didn’t prevent the armed forces from serving when duty called. —PN
The Veterans Memorial in the Naperville Cemetery provides peace and quiet for reflection with the gentle sound of wind chimes tinkling in the distance.
The annual tribute to fallen military men and women will be conducted to reaffirm a pledge to assemble peacefully, a right given to all Americans by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Local veterans, families and friends also will honor and remember those who serve our country.
The Memorial Day event will feature a wreath laying ceremony to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony will be led by representatives from each of the five branches of the armed services.
Memorial Day starts at 7AM for the Naperville posts of the American Legion and VFW, conducting memorial services throughout the downtown area which last until the start of the parade at 10:30AM.
Memorial Day Services
8AM at the 911/Dan Shanower Memorial on the Riverwalk behind City Hall
8:30AM the service is at Veterans Park located on Gartner Rd.
8:50AM at Burlington Square Park commemorating WWI
9:15AM at the WWII Memorial in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery
10AM at the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial in Naperville Cemetery
10:30AM at Jackson and Ewing. The parade steps off long Jackson Ave. at Ewing where all the high school marching bands fall into the line up, heading west toward Washington Street.
10:40AM at the Veterans Memorial at the Riverwalk Plaza, located at Jackson and Webster. At that time, a wreath also is thrown into the DuPage River to remember those who were lost at sea.
The parade route follows Jackson east to Washington, north to Benton and east to Court Street where participants are welcome to Central Park.
12:15PM in Central Park. A 30-minute observance with speeches and patriotic music will be held following the conclusion of the parade.
Editor’s Note: At 7:30AM May 25, it’s 70 degrees, mostly cloudy and windy. Organizers of the 2015 Memorial Day Parade will watch the weather with high winds and rain in the morning forecast. A decision will be made by 9:30AM if conditions warrant canceling the parade and other observances in Naperville for the safety of all participants and grateful spectators.  (The decision was made at 8:45AM to proceed. See above.)
Related Posts / Positively Naperville Memorial Day Parade Gallery of Photos /  2015 Memorial Day Parade Previews & Other Memorial Days from the Past
