Above / With grace, peace and patriotic music performed by the Naperville Municipal Band, a brief Memorial Day observance in Central Park always is a time to reflect on much-valued freedoms and the supreme sacrifices that are made every day to protect them.
Glorious sunshine and seasonable temperatures in the 70s created the perfect setting for Memorial Day in Naperville.
The photo gallery begins with images taken at 7:45AM with the laying of a wreath at the Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial, hosted by the American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
Our cameras then headed around downtown from the Riverwalk to Central Park, taking note that hundreds of portable chairs already lined the parkway along Jackson Avenue and Washington Street. By 10:30AM crowds, 12-deep in some places, lined the parade route for the Memorial Day Parade.
Thanks to all participants—Veterans, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, Mayor Steve Chirico, City officials, musicians, scouts, volunteers and spectators of all ages— for expressing gratitude to Gold Star families with respect on this Memorial Day when our nation remembers the cherished and fragile lives that have fallen while serving to protect this nation’s freedom.
After the brief observance in Central Park immediately following the parade, words from Naperville Central High School junior Ryan Park received a standing ovation. Earlier this year, representing the Naperville American Legion Post 43, Park won the American Legion’s Illinois State Oratorical Contest with a speech titled “We the Architect.” On Memorial Day, Park reminded everyone in the audience who came to honor the men and women who gave their lives to protect the Constitution of the United States that it’s up to all Americans to “to give our time to learn the Constitution.”
With support from the City of Naperville and local Veterans’ organizations, Memorial Day observances are organized by a committee comprised of volunteers from the American Legion Post 43, Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, Naperville Police and Fire Departments, Naperville Municipal Band and local residents.
PHOTO GALLERY / Click any photo, placed randomly, to enlarge. (May take a moment to load.)
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