Above / Veterans Day brings folks together to observe the special significance of the day with thoughtful reflections and tributes at Veterans Park. “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
Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was a Five-Star General in the U.S. Army, in command of the the Pacific theater during World War II.
Wherever you stand, pause, take a few moments to reflect and be grateful for dedicated Veterans and their military service at home and overseas.
Click any photo to enlarge and remember with gratitude the sacrifices given for liberty and justice for all.
[shareprints gallery_id=”60650″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]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. And every Nov. 11, folks gather in Veterans Park with an attitude of gratitude to share their respect with thoughts and music.
Veterans Day is different from Memorial Day. Note that World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, even though the fighting ended about seven months earlier when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” often referred to as “11-11-11.”
Therefore, Nov. 11, 1918, was deemed the end of “the war to end all wars” and known as Armistice Day. In 1926, Congress officially recognized it as the end of the war, and 12 years later it became an official holiday, set aside to honor veterans of World War I.
But then came World War II and the Korean War. On June 1, 1954, Congress amended the commemoration by changing the word “armistice” to “veterans.”
These days, Veterans Day is an extra time to simply remember to say “thanks” to all men and women who have served this nation.
Veterans Day is every year at the 11th Hour on the 11th Day of the 11th Month
The Naperville American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 welcome all Veterans and the community to a brief observance at 11AM on Nov. 11, at Veterans Park, located at 303 E. Gartner Road, across the street from Grace United Methodist Church.
During the “11-11-11” tribute, rousing patriotic music is provided by members of the Naperville Municipal Band.
Naperville Municipal Band Veterans Day Concert is 3PM Nov. 11
For 2018, the annual Veterans Day Concert will be performed at 3PM Sun., Nov. 11, on stage at Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central College Fine Art Center, located at 171 E. Chicago Ave. The concert is free of admission charge.
During this year’s band concert, Operation Support Our Troops America will be recognized for its contributions to Veterans around the world. A collection of most-needed items (click here) for Comfort and Care Packages that will be sent to military service men and women overseas will take place in the lobby. The requests are for more food items and I-Tunes cards. A few of the items (no glass) on the list include:
Annual Veterans Day Dinner & Social is 5PM Nov. 11
Again, as in years past, a “Traditional Turkey Dinner with all of the Trimmings” will be prepared by our Kendall Cooks, organizers said.
The program will feature several WWII Veterans with their personal stories, “What Veterans Day Means to Me.”
The reservation deadline is Wed., Nov. 7. Please reply at (630) 803-2251 or email jenniferbslown@gmail.com.
“Please plan to come and see your friends and enjoy an evening “Honoring our Veterans,” said Jennifer Slown-Jr. Vice Commander, of the American Legion.
