Above / Veterans Day brings folks together to observe the special significance of the day with thoughtful observance and gratitude to all men and women who served in the military.”Peace” plays a prominent part at Veterans Park across from Grace United Methodist Church on Gartner Road.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace.” —Douglas MacArthur, (1880-1964), Five-Star General in the U.S. Army in command of the the Pacific theater during World War II.
Wherever you stand, on Veterans Day take a moment at 11AM to pause, reflect and be grateful for all the men and women who have served in the military, past and present, to protect freedom. Veterans Day honors all individuals who served the United States in all wars, especially veterans.
Originally, called “Armistice Day,” Nov. 11 was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended hostilities during World War I in 1918. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. Ever since 1954, the date has been called Veterans Day. Many Americans remember the special date by saying “11-11-11.”
Veterans Day at Veterans Park
Though thanking, honoring and hugging Veterans is encouraged every day, Veterans Day in Naperville is a day to go out of your way to show gratitude by attending the special observance at Veteran Park.
Members of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post 43 host the ceremony to pay tribute to dedicated men and women, past and present, who courageously served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and all overseas conflicts.
Members of the Naperville Municipal Band will begin performing patriotic music at 10:45AM, followed by a brief ceremony at 11AM, Friday, Nov. 11.
Veterans Park is located at 303 E. Gartner Road.
Naperville is blessed to show its patriotism every day with monuments, Freedom Shrines and other commemorative messages along the Riverwalk as well as in Veterans Park, Burlington Square Park, Central Park and Fredenhagen Park.
Click any photo to enlarge and remember with gratitude the sacrifices given for liberty and justice for all.
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Veterans Day Tributes Morning, Noon & Evening
From 8:15 to 9:05AM, the Exchange Club of Naperville will be dedicating a Freedom Shrine at Kennedy Junior High School in School District 203. The Freedom Shrine is an impressive display of a collection of historic document replicas, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, that will serve to remind students, teachers and all visitors to the school of the great efforts that have been taken to ensure this nation’s freedoms. (The Freedom Shrine that is presented on the exterior wall at the Municipal Center is pictured in the Photo Gallery.)
At 11AM, the Naperville American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 will host a ceremony at Veterans Park on Gartner Avenue. The Naperville Municipal Band will perform rousing flag-waving anthems.
From noon to 10PM, Yogurt Beach, located at 3017 English Rows, will donate 20 percent of all sales to Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 in support of its Relief Fund for needy veterans and families as well as helping the spinal wards at Hines Hospital for paralyzed people. “We are honored to donate these funds to a great group and hope the community ‘hits the Beach’ to help support the VFW Post 3873,” said owner Debbie Kliegl.
At 6PM, the Annual Veterans Day Social and Dinner hosted by American Legion Post 43 and VFW Post 3873 begins with a social hour, and dinner at 7PM, followed by a special program. The menu features a turkey dinner prepared by the renown Kendall Cooks with desserts provided by Lee Lindberg. The cost is $14 per person, payable at the door, with required advance reservations that were due Nov. 8. SOLD OUT! (Note… the next American Legion Social and Dinner is Jan. 21, 2017.) The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson Avenue.
At 7PM, the inaugural “Heroic Music for Heroic Causes,” a Veterans Day benefit concert, will feature patriotic-themed flag-waving music performed by the 80-member Chicago Educators Orchestra. Naperville resident Lt. Col. Bryan Miller of the U.S. Air Force will serve as conductor. The concert will be performed at Naperville Central High School Auditorium, located at 440 Aurora Ave. Tickets are $10 each.
Proceeds will benefit Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 in Naperville, All Good Days – The Herath Family Foundation and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. For more info, visit www.nchsbands.org/ceo-nov11-concert.
All Day! Many local restaurants offer breakfast and luncheon specials on Veterans Day.
Above / During the week of Veterans Day 2015, a replica of the Vietnam Wall honored all military men and women and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you, Veterans!
And thanks to Mike Barbour who advocates for Veterans every month in his column, “Veterans in Touch,” featured in Positively Naperville.
