Naperville native and history buff Steve Hyett who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam again will add local color to the parade as he narrates the scene along Jackson Avenue for NCTV17 and all ages.
“I am humbled and honored to be asked back again as emcee for the Naperville Memorial Day Parade,” Hyett said. “To me, this one parade is the most important of all the parades we have in Naperville. It honors veterans, but more importantly, it honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. Those of us who served and have come back to live another day can’t begin to do enough for those who will never come back, and to especially thank and honor those Gold Star parents who lost so much.”
Hyett added that he aims to impart to the NCTV17 viewers and attendees “some of the heavy debt we owe to those who are not with us today… and that Memorial Day is not just some extra day-off holiday to celebrate around the picnic table. It’s truly a day of remembrance and honor.”
Hyett also will introduce the inaugural display of patriotic banners in remembrance of the fallen who served Naperville and this nation, giving the supreme sacrifice since the founding of Naperville in 1831.
How to retire an American Flag respectfully
When an American flag becomes worn, torn or faded, Old Glory should be retired and replaced with a new flag.
While there are several ways to dispose of the American flag with dignity, a handy receptacle located just outside the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 makes it easy to deposit torn and faded American Flags.
Simply fold the Stars and Stripes and drop it in the red, white and blue receptacle marked “Flag Drop” along the driveway. Members of the VFW and American Legion will take care of the rest.
The Judd Kendall VFW is located at 908 W. Jackson Avenue, just west of Centennial Beach and near the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
Brief Bio of Steve Hyett
Steve Hyett grew up on a small farm just west of Naperville on Eola Road, within biking distance of the CA&E tracks at Batavia Junction. He went to Naperville Community High School. Steve says he was “drafted out of college in Iowa for an all-expenses-paid tour of South Vietnam, courtesy of Uncle Sam’s Army.” He was awarded the Bronze Star, two Army Commendation medals, and attained the rank of Sergeant in only eighteen months.
After his military service, Steve completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at George Williams College, graduating Magna cum Laude. Steve worked for the City of Naperville for eight years, the last three as Naperville’s City Clerk.
Steve has been in the financial services field for more than 30 years. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner with Wells Fargo Advisors in its Naperville office on Ferry Rd.
No stranger to service in the community, Steve has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heritage YMCA, member of the Board of Naperville’s Century Walk, Treasurer of Business Executives Exchange, Vice President of the Board of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 562, President and Treasurer of the Naperville North High School Boosters’ Club, and Secretary of the Wheatland Plowing Match Association, among others.
He continues as the Master of Ceremonies for Naperville’s Memorial Day Parade, an experience he has taken to heart for at least 15 years. He served as Master of Ceremonies for Naperville’s Labor Day “Last Fling” Parade for more than 30 years.
Steve was awarded the Naperville Jaycees “Distinguished Service Award” for Lifetime Achievement, and the Rotary Club of Naperville made him a Paul Harris Fellow… both in 2009. The DuPage County and Villa Park Historical Societies earlier conferred their honorary “Life Member” designation on him for his work in preserving portions of the railway history of DuPage County.
Steve and his wife, Mary Kay, live on Naperville’s north side. They have four adult grown children living in different parts of the country, and six grandchildren with the seventh due in August 2018.
