Bad weather day for Memorial Day as the first unofficial day of Summer, but a symbolic weather day for honoring fallen military brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. No rain, but gloomy skies and a very, very light mist at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Memorial Park accompanied the Memorial Holiday for May 27, 2013.
Vietnam Veterans of America #311 President Alan Van Bladel on Dunton Avenue during the Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade 2013 (Over 500 more photos …).
Traditional group photo of veterans at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Memorial Park in Arlington Heights on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013 (Over 400 more photos at Memorial Park …).
A new honor flag unit marched near the beginning of the parade, with participants wearing sashes with the names of 129 military members from nearby communities. The new flag unit is the work of Jackie Glueckert and John Glueckert, Jr., who organized the honor flag unit sponsored by Glueckert Funeral Home. The U.S. flags lined the sidewalk paths inside Memorial Park during the Memorial Day Ceremony after the parade.
U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) rode the Memorial Day Parade in a red Ford Mustang with former Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder and spoke at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Memorial Park after the parade. He spoke highly of Arlington Heights calling it a “center of normalcy” and explaining that he was sorry he missed last year’s event while recovering from a stroke. The Naval intelligence officer prior to entering service in politics, Kirk chided the Marines that they know that the Navy is not just a taxi service. He expressed his gratitude to World War II vets “for saving our civilization.”
Senator Kirk presented a Bronze Star Daniel Field on behalf of his father, World War II veteran Edward Arthur Field.
Korean War Veteran Wally Luettschwager, Vietnam War Veteran William “Bill” Dussling and D. Court Harris, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. D. Court Harris humorously spoke of not ever remembering an opportunity to speak to superiors and a members of Congress during his military service.
The list of veterans that have passed away since last year on Memorial Day was read. Also, a large silver bell was rung 58 times — once for each of the names of Arlington Heights “Fallen Heroes” that were read. Families of some of “Fallen Heroes” were present and rang the bell themselves.
Sponsored wreaths were placed at the “Eternal Flame” sculpture, a 21-gun salute was fired with rifles, and ‘Taps’ was played as part of the traditional ceremony.
Greg Padovani, who is the main organizer of the event and the “Drive to Revive” effort re-develop Memorial Park, also led the Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park.
MORE …
PHOTOS … Memorial Day Parade May 27, 2013 (Over 500 photos) …
PHOTOS … Memorial Day Ceremony at Memorial Park May 27, 2013 (Over 400 photo) …
See also …
ahparkfoundation.org/memorialparkfund
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