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Naperville Jaycees celebrate memory of JCI Senator Al DeGeeter during 2024 Labor Day Parade

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The Naperville Jaycees will remember JCI Senator Al DeGeeter (July 4, 1940 – Oct. 8, 2023) during the 2024 Labor Day Parade. (PN File Photo 2013)

Al DeGeeter is pictured every day in the Century Wall mural, “Naperville Loves a Parade,” located across the street from Dean’s Fine Clothing in the walkway just off Main Street. (PN File Photo)

Join the Jaycees as they pay tribute to a much beloved member during the 2024 Labor Day Parade that steps off along Mill Street at 10AM Mon., Sept 2.

Organizers have announced this year’s parade will honor the lifelong commitment of late Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senator Al DeGeeter’s to service above self. In his memory, the Naperville Jaycees have named DeGeeter “Grand Marshal” and will be collecting donations along the parade route for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Albert DeGeeter was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017 after losing two of his brothers from the same affliction shortly before. Because of this family history and having served as an MP in Korea from 1963-1965, Al knew how to follow protocol and remained an advocate for himself and an active member of his community as long as his strength allowed.  He succumbed in late 2023 when repeated bouts of pneumonia triggered an autoimmune response and significantly accelerated the damage to his lungs.

Naperville Jaycees Bucket Shakers, inspired by Al DeGeeter in the patriotic pants, are known to collect donations for worthy causes along the Labor Day Parade route. Be prepared to help fill their buckets with loose change and dollar bills Sept. 2. Cheers! (PN File Photo)

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

Recognizing that September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, the Jaycees and more than 20 PF Foundation staff members and their families will be walking together along the parade route to collect cash and electronic donations in support of more than 200 lung diseases.

Naperville’s Moser Tower will shine blue with hope for the pulmonary fibrosis community on the evenings of Sept. 1 and 2 in recognition of Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. 

For more information about this year’s Grand Marshall, visit Al’s tribute page via secure.qgiv.com/event/2024napervillejayceeslastfling to learn more.

Al DeGeeter, sandwiched between between two fellow JCI Senators, is pictured reading the first-ever issue of PN. The three JCI Senators were caught reading PN in front of the Jaycees Gazebo, gifted to the Riverwalk park with funds raised from Jaycees Last Fling. During the first decade of PN, the Jaycees were featured on the cover three times! And PN lost count of how many times Al DeGeeter was mentioned for his good deeds on behalf of Jaycees. Thanks, Jaycees! (PN File Photo 2017)

The Last Fling Labor Day Parade starts its meandering journey through downtown Naperville at 10AM on Labor Day Monday, September 2, 2024, on the final day of the four-day family festival that begins at 5PM Fri., Aug. 30.

Last Fling runs 10AM to 10PM Saturday and Sunday, then noon to 6PM on Monday along Jackson Avenue.

For further information or to view a map of the 2024 parade route, review the Jaycees event map or program, visit lastfling.org.

RELATED POST FEATURING AL DEGETTER / Jaycees Rally for Last Fling (2017)

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PN Editor
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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