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2019 Memorial Day Parade is accepting entry applications through May 1

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Registration is online to participate in 2019 Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day is set aside every year to honor military men, women and families that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedoms. In the United States, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.

In Naperville, the city’s tradition has been to host an annual Memorial Day Parade.

Organized by a parade committee comprised of members of the American Legion Post 43, Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, Naperville Municipal Band, Naperville Police and Fire Departments and other citizen volunteers, the Naperville tradition attracts tens of thousands to downtown Naperville to pay tribute to fallen heroes and their families. 

Parade participants enjoy watching flag-waving spectators, too!

The American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 alternate taking turns as the host organization of the parade every year as both veterans’ group share in planning the parade. 

Naperville Municipal Band Director Ron Keller expresses pride that he’s been on the committee for 50-plus years, with childhood memories of participating in his first Memorial Day Parade about 70 years ago.

Attitude of gratitude for liberty

The Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30AM on Mon., May 27. And it’s customary to hear applause and witness salutes from spectators who line the streets as they recognize supreme sacrifice and that freedom isn’t free. Crowds also show rousing respect to units of veterans with flags and to marching bands with many musicians, young and old, performing patriotic songs to remind us that peaceful assembly is cherished in our world.

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Above / Members of the American Legion Post 43 and Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 present the Colors during the annual Memorial Day Parade. (PN File Photo)

Parade registration now in progress online only through May 1, 2018

To accommodate veterans groups, marching bands, local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other patriotic entries only, an updated website created by Emily Binder went live on February 1 to accept parade registration until May 1. Be mindful that this annual showcase is a display for entries to pay tribute and remember veterans for their sacrifices with respect.

The website also includes complete instructions with important parking directions and a map, providing parade participants with pertinent information that sets the Memorial Day Parade apart from other much-celebrated gatherings in a community that loves its parades.

For starters, at 10:30AM Mon., May 27, the 2019 Memorial Day Parade officially begins. Parade participants are to lineup near Centennial Beach along Jackson Avenue and West Street. The parade heads east to Washington, north to Benton, and east to the Ss. Peter & Paul parking lot.

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Above / Visit Veterans Park across from Grace United Methodist Church any day of the year to pause and reflect about the meaning of Naperville Memorial Day Parade on the last Monday in May. Peace.

Observance with music in Central Park at 12:15PM

Immediately following the conclusion of the colorful red, white and blue parade, an observance with patriotic messages from guest speakers and musical tributes performed by the Naperville Municipal Band again will be held in Central Park at the Community Concert Center. 

Schedule of Veterans Tributes on May 27, 2019

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Wear a Buddy Poppy to the Memorial Day Parade. Poppies will be available from the American Legion and the VFW prior to Memorial Day from Veterans and other volunteers in front of Casey’s Foods and many local supermarkets. Thanks to all!

Other observances with ceremonial red poppy wreath laying are included on Memorial Day.  Prior to the parade, veterans decorate local cemeteries and veterans’ monuments. During the parade they pause at Veterans Plaza along the Riverwalk and after the parade they recognize fallen soldiers in Central Park.

Memorial Day Schedule 

Note: Morning flag raising services will begin 15 minutes earlier again this year. 

7:45 – Flag raising and service at 9/11-Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial – (taps & volley)

8:15 – Service at Veterans Park (Gartner Rd.) – (taps & volley)

8:35 – Service at Burlington Square Park Doughboy Monument – (taps & volley)

9:00 – Service at St. Peter & Paul Cemetery (taps & volley)

9:45 – Service at GAR Monument in Naperville Cemetery – (taps & volley)

Memorial Day Parade Begins at 10:30AM 

10:30 – Advance section of parade steps off from Jackson and Ewing. Spectators are asked to line the street east of Ewing in order to enjoy all the band in the parade.

10:40 – Service at Veterans Plaza, corner of Webster & Jackson. Then the Main Parade steps off from Jackson & West St., East to Washington, North to Benton, East to Court Place (Veterans & Military Units), East to Ss. Peter & Paul parking lot.

Memorial Day Observance in Central Park at 12:15PM

12:15 – A 30-minute program at the Community Concert Center includes selections by Naperville Municipal Band with an invocation and other speeches. 

Absolutely no late parade registration / All registration due by May 1

The community is given plenty of notice to register. No late registrations will be accepted for parade entries. Again, the deadline to register is May 1 this year and every year. All help is appreciated to spread the word to scout groups, marching bands as well as other patriotic and veterans’ organizations.

The Memorial Day Parade is nonpolitical and noncommercial. Thanks for remembering to respect this special day and its meaning.

For information, visit www.napervillememorialdayparade.com.


Friday Fish Fry at the VFW, now through April 19, 2019

As is tradition, from 4:30 to 7:30PM every Friday through April 19, members of the American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 will host its all-you-can-eat Friday Fish Fry at the VFW. The community is welcome to this family event. Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for children and $10 for seniors. The VFW is located at 908 W. Jackson Ave.

RELATED POSTS & PHOTOS / Naperville Memorial Day Parade 

 

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PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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