Mayor Lori Lightfoot attended an 11:00 a.m. Memorial Day commemoration at Chicago’s Grant Park and Gov. JB Pritzker spoke at Mount Prospect’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony.
For some families, the Mount Prospect event is so much more than just a parade and remembrance.
“I used to be in the Lyons Club and used to be in the parade every year so it’s kind of like, we’re getting together with everybody from Mount Prospect from when I lived here for 20 years,” said Michael Ruzicka.
Resident Pat Tokimoto also weighed in.
“It’s special because its my daughter’s first time in the marching parade she will be in color guard,” he said.
Part of Monday’s ceremony included Revolutionary War and Civil War cannons, a flyover with air force a fighter squadron, a 21-gun salute and more. Those traditions are why so many keep coming back to this parade and ceremony.
“My family moved here in 1950, so i kind of grew up with the town, so this has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. My dad used to march in this parade years and years ago,” said Mike Zadel, a resident.
In addition to honoring local heroes who have passed, retired military members also came to help with the ceremony and Gov. JB Pritzker shared a few words with the crowd.
“Freedom isn’t free,” Pritzker said. “Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice knew that. Those of us who remain must remember that.”
This year’s parade marshal is local hero and Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch, who also served as the event’s keynote speaker.
Arlington Heights has traditionally hosted a parade of 3,000 marchers with thousands of viewers. This year, there will be a parade, which steps off at 9:30 a.m., and a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The parade ends at Memorial Park on Chestnut and Fremont Streets.
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes joined ABC7 Monday morning to discuss the festivities.
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The village also will have a Silver Star Pinning Ceremony followed by a reading of the names of fallen heroes. Parking is free in Arlington Heights parking lots on Memorial Day 2022.
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Full list of Chicago-area Memorial Day events:
8 a.m. – Beverly/Morgan Park 10K Memorial Day race at Ridge Park at 9625 S. Longwood Drive.
9:45 a.m. – Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at Mount Prospect Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at Lions Park Veteran’s Memorial at 411 S. Maple St.
10 a.m. – Hoffman Estates Memorial Day ceremony at police department at 411 W. Higgins Road.
10 a.m. -Memorial Day ceremony held by veterans at Breakers Senior Lifestyle Community in Edgewater Beach at 5333 N. Sheridan Road.
10 a.m. – Cook County Board Pres. Toni Preckwinkle marches in the Chicago Heights Memorial Day Parade at Landeen Park at 181 W. 10th St.
10 a.m. – Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry unveils Veterans Memorial at Liberty Memorial Park at 3107 Glenwood Dyer Road.
10:30 a.m. – Barrington Memorial Day parade starts at Cook and Main streets.
10:30 a.m. – Evanston Memorial Day ceremony held by Evanston American Legion Post 42 at Fountain Square at Sherman and Davis Street.
11 a.m. – Mayor Lori Lightfoot attends Memorial Day Commemoration at Grant Park at Michigan and 9th Street.
11 a.m. – Former Gov. Pat Quinn speaks with veterans in Garfield Ridge at the Rhine VFW Post 2729, 5858 at S. Archer Ave.
11 a.m. – Memorial Day parade held by Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society at Pine Grove and Wellington avenues in Lakeview.
Noon – Roosevelt Collection Shops hosts “Healing and Harmony” event on its rooftop for Mental Health Awareness Month at 150 W Roosevelt Road in the Loop.
Noon – Aurora Memorial Day parade starts at Benton and River streets.
1 p.m. – Matteson Memorial Day concert attended by Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin at Memorial Park 212th Place at Tower Avenue.
1 p.m. – Memorial Day ceremony held by Village of Orland Park at14700 S. Ravinia Avenue.
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