Above / The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson Ave., just west of downtown Naperville. Parking on May 31, 2021, is reserved for Veterans participating in the Memorial Day Parade.
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
—Harry S. Truman, U.S. President from 1945 to 1953
Memorial Day in Naperville has been commemorated since 1928 by decorating Veterans’ graves and placing wreaths in local cemeteries. Veterans from every branch of service as well as other Veterans organizations and scouts have lined up to show respect to the Fallen in the city’s Memorial Day Parade. And the Naperville Municipal Band along with high school and middle school bands have marched while performing patriotic music. Over the years, the tributes by an appreciative community of spectators’ standing, applauding and waving American flags have grown with a better understanding of all sacrifices.
“Memorial Day conveys to Americans the price and pain of the quest for freedom,” wrote Navy Veteran Terry Jelinek back in 2013, one of the many years he’d served as Memorial Day Parade Chairman before his death in 2018. “It is a day to honor the dead and what their service and sacrifice meant for America.”
The 2021 Naperville Memorial Day Parade will step off at 9AM from the Judd Kendall VFW Post, 908 W. Jackson Ave., and end near the Dandelion Fountain, Webster at Jackson.
According to 2021 Parade Chairman Tom Parker, the parade may be shorter, without the Gold Star and Blue Star families in antique automobiles and rousing musical tributes every step of the way. Yet, its significance is the same as the community gathers to honor sacrifices on this day of remembrance.
All Veterans, whether or not members of the American Legion or VFW, are welcome and encouraged to march or ride in one of the Naperville Trolleys. Kindly arrive at the VFW at 8:30AM to participate.
Spectators are welcomed to watch the much shorter than usual parade from the south side of Jackson Avenue. (The north side of Jackson will be reserved for five high school bands.) Local safety protocols will be followed.
Folks also can watch the parade “live” on NCTV17.
The parade, with commentary provided by emcee Steve Hyett, a Vietnam Veteran, will be followed by Veterans’ visits to local cemeteries and memorials via the Naperville Trolley.
9AM – Memorial Day Parade – Parade steps off from VFW and advances along Jackson Avenue toward Webster Street / High School Bands perform / Ceremony at Jackson and Webster / Music provided by Naperville Municipal Band / Local safety protocols to be followed / Thank you.
Flag Raising and Wreath Laying – Fly flags at half staff until noon.
9:40AM – Sept. 11 / Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial
10AM – Naperville Cemetery
10:20AM – Veterans Park
10:40AM – Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery
11AM – Burlington Square Park
Noon – Memorial Day Remembrance in Central Park – A 45-minute observance hosted by the Naperville American Legion Post 43 and Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 with wreath laying, speeches and musical tributes by the Naperville Municipal Band will be held at noon in Central Park, 104 E. Benton.
All Veterans are encouraged to participate in the parade as well as be recognized during the observance in Central Park. Public is welcome. Wear a poppy!
3PM – National Moment of Remembrance – No matter where you stand, observe one minute of silence at 3PM to pay respects for the honorable Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during service to our country, including the 114 residents of Naperville who died while on Active Duty.
Parking is available behind the VFW
Thanks for being especially thoughtful on Memorial Day about our country’s precious freedom and all the fallen heroes, men and women, who have given the supreme sacrifice to protect it here and around the world.
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” —Douglas MacArthur, American 5-Star General
