Above / Flags fly high every day at Veterans Park to honor all members of the military for their service, past and present. Veterans Park is located at 303 E. Gartner Road with inspirational signs for peace.
Naperville Responds for Veterans Cheers for Veterans / Nov. 2
Naperville Responds for Veterans will host its 7th annual Cheers for Veterans beginning at 5:30PM Thurs., Nov. 2. The annual event raises funds to assist Veterans and their families in need of building and maintenance repairs, especially those families with low and moderate income. Funds are used for building materials, and professional labor, and coordinating the process of repairing, building, and donating homes. This year’s Cheers will be held at Embassy Suites, 1823 Arbiter Court. Guest speaker will be Allen J. Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient.
Previously sold out, two more tables of ten were added. To check last-minute ticket availability ($150 per person), visit www.napervilleresponds.org.
Exchange Club of Naperville honors Veterans / Nov. 3
On behalf of the Exchange Club of Naperville Americanism Committee, Exchangite Ron Amato has arranged a thoughtful and inspiring program to honor local Veterans beginning at 11:45AM Fri., Nov. 3, during the regularly scheduled meeting at Hugo’s Frog Pond in the Main Street Promenade.
“Exchangites – this Friday for our regularly-scheduled lunch meeting at Hugo’s, we will honor Veterans from all four branches of the Armed Forces,” notes Amato.
The annual Thank a Veteran Lunch will feature Naperville businessman John Calamos, Sr. (Air Force – Vietnam fighter pilot), Ryan Ahern (Army – Silver Star medal recipient), George Hogrewe (Navy – WW II), and Jack Shiffler (Marines – Vietnam).
For more info about Exchange Club of Naperville programs, membership and/or fee for luncheons, visit www.exchangeclub.org.
Happy 100th Birthday to Virginia Arbogast / Nov. 5
VFW Post 3873 Auxiliary member Virginia Arbogast is turning 100 this year and her family is hosting an open house at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 from 2 to 5PM Sun., Nov. 5.
According to Auxiliary President Kathy Thornton, Ginny, a life-long Napervillian, joined the Auxiliary just months after it was founded. When the Auxiliary celebrated the 70th year of its charter in October, Ginny was recognized as a 69-year member.
Joining the ranks of centenarian, Ginny greeted 100 well-wishers who arrived to visit her in the banquet room at the VFW with giant posters and birthday cards for good health and happiness. And PN stopped by for a quick family photo that was added here.
DuPage County Veterans Day Ceremony / Nov. 5
Wheaton – DuPage County will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 2PM Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Kenneth Moy DuPage Care Center. The featured speaker for the program will be Ken Adams, of Chapter 144 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The Kenneth Moy DuPage Care Center is located at 400 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.
U.S. Marine Corps Flag Raising / Nov. 10
As is tradition at 9AM every November 10, local members of the U.S. Marine Corps, past and present, will raise its flag in observance of the armed service’s birthday in front of the Naperville Municipal Center. The public is welcome to this brief ceremony, complemented with patriotic music.
Veterans welcome to Marine Birthday Ball / Nov. 10
For the 44th year, the Naperville Marines will host the Birthday Ball beginning at 5:30PM with cocktails, an opening ceremony at 7PM, followed by dinner at 7:15PM and dancing at 9PM at a local hotel. The 242nd birthday party will be held at the Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 North Naper Boulevard.
The Naperville Marines have announced that Col. Harvey C. (Barney) Barnum USMC Ret. MOH, will be their special guest of honor.
Reservations are $70 per person and available by calling (630) 877-7517. Brand new unwrapped Toys for Tots again will be collected.
Send reservation with payment to Naperville Marines, Attn: Chuck Bokar, c/o DRC, 424 Fort Hill Drive, Suite 118, Naperville, Illinois 60540. Reservations and payment must be received by Thurs., Nov. 2, 2017.
For more info, visit napervillemarines.com.
School District 203 honors Veterans / Nov. 10
Naperville School District 203 is proud to honor local veterans on Fri., Nov. 10. Ceremonies are planned at all 22 schools throughout the morning. A breakfast also will be held at the Administration Building.
In addition, Medal of Honor recipient Harvey Barnum (USMC ret.) will speak to students at Naperville North High School at 8AM. He will talk about service, leadership and sacrifice. In addition to nearly 30 years of military service, Barnum also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy and briefly as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Naperville Veterans Park Observance / ’11-11-11′
All Veterans Day observances are an opportunity to show appreciation to members of the armed forces, past and present, who have served and sacrificed for this great nation to help protect its freedoms.
Local veterans will host their annual Veterans Day remembrance beginning at 11AM Sat., Nov. 11, at Veterans Park on Gartner Avenue across the street from Grace United Methodist Church.
The brief ceremony is a time to remember “11-11-11” with patriotic music performed by the Naperville Municipal Band and thoughtful reflection about the history of this day.
Even if unable to attend the ceremony, every individual is welcomed to pause for a moment of gratitude to pay tribute to all veterans at 11AM every Nov. 11.
Veterans Day Dinner / Nov. 11
The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post 43 again will host their Annual Veterans Day Social and Dinner. The public is invited to join members of the posts as they mark this special day. The commemorative event begins with a social hour at 5PM on Sat., Nov. 11, followed by dinner at 6PM.
“A turkey dinner with all the trimmings” will be prepared by our World Famous “Kendall Cooks” with home-made desserts baked by “Chef” Lee Lindberg, according to spokesman Wayne Fischer, also one of the Kendall Cooks. “There’s nothing like a simple, flavored, home-cooked meal.”
As in the past, the dinner will be held in the banquet room at Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, located at 908 W. Jackson Ave.
“Come and see old friends and enjoy the evening,” encouraged Fischer, noting no scheduled entertainment is planned for the evening.
With advance reservations by Nov. 7, the dinner price remains at $14 per person, payable at the door.
“We are able to hold our prices the same as we have for a number of years as long as we have confirmed reservations or cancel in advance,” Fischer reminded potential guests. “Also, as this dinner has always been well attended, we will hold our reservations to 200 so as to accommodate everyone comfortably.”
Individuals are encouraged to place reservations early as they are taken on first come, first served. Seating is limited.
For reservations, reply via email to wayne.l.fischer@gmail.com or call him at (630) 240-8868.
Naperville Municipal Band Fall Concert / Nov. 12
The Naperville Municipal Band will perform its annual Fall Concert, a tribute to Veterans and America’s patriotic music, beginning at 3PM Sun., Nov. 12, at the Wentz Concert Hall.
A guest speaker from Naperville Responds for Veterans will address the audience with brief remarks.
Naperville Municipal Band concerts are free of charge.
Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College’s 617-seat venue in the Performing Arts Center, located at 171 E Chicago Avenue, is just steps from downtown Naperville.
Day of Thanks Potluck hosted by Operation Welcome You Home / Nov. 15
“Food Drive,” Marine Corps Toys for Tots, “Open House” will be featured at the 5th “Day of Thanks” feast at the Aurora Vet Center beginning at 4PM Wed. Nov. 15, hosted by Operation Welcome You Home. This meal is pot luck, to provide a “homemade cookin'” good menu. For planning reasons, let organizers know what you plan to bring to the table.
The Aurora Vet Center s located at 750 Shoreline Drive, Suite 150, Aurora, IL 60504. The phone number is (630) 585-1853.
Donations needed for dinner are meats, veggies, fruits, desserts, non- alchoholic beverages, paper and plastic goods, napkins, cups, utensils and table cloths. All will be appreciated. No cash donations will be accepted.
Also needed are non-perishable items for the food drive, new/unwrapped toys for the “USMC Toys 4 Tots” collection box and new and returning veterans for the “Open House.”
Join Operation Welcome You Home to help recognize all service men and women with thanks for giving.
Send a holiday card to a Veteran / Mail by Nov. 20
In addition, Connelly adds that the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Bicentennial Committee are seeking to honor 200 veterans from across the state, whose sacrifices go above and beyond the call of duty. For more information or to fill out a nomination form, visit www.illinois.gov/veterans. The dedicated men and women of the Naperville American Legion Post 43 as well as the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 who continually serve the Veterans and the community will be our nominees. Cheers!
Editor’s Note / Events to honor Veterans may be considered to be added to this post as received.
