Memorial Day was marked by marching bands and solemn ceremonies in the northwest suburbs, but all in tribute to the nation’s fallen military enlistees — especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thee American Legion and Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights held its annual Memorial Day parade Monday, rounding Arlington Heights Road and Sigwalt Street, Dunton Avenue and Euclid Avenue before moving down Chestnut Avenue.
The parade concluded at Memorial Park where a memorial ceremony was set to take place.
“The Memorial Day ceremony honors and remembers all those who have given their lives for our freedoms – especially Arlington’s fallen heroes,” officials stated on the village website.
The post stated that 59 young men from Arlington Heights died in the service of the nation — from the Civil War through Afghanistan. Additionally, the names of veterans who died in the last year were called out at the ceremony.
As Arlington Heights was holding its ceremony, another one was taking place at Knopf Cemetery in Buffalo Grove.
“Every Memorial Day, Kingswood [United Methodist Church] holds a service at the cemetery to commemorate those who have gone before us,” officials stated on the church’s website.
The solemn tribute featured special readings, music and a guest speaker from Naval Station Great Lakes and a time of remembering those who lost their lives in service to the nation. The Memorial Day service at Knopf also traditionally includes prayers and a Boy Scouts’ American flag retirement ceremony, the website states.
Marine Veterans Antonio Campos, left, Leo Monroy, the Commandant of the Tri-County Leatherneck Detachment #1395, center, and Allan Ayers all with the Marine Corps League detachment at the American Legion in Lake Zurich perform a rifle salute at the Lake Zurich Memorial Day service that followed the parade May 27, 2024. (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
The Rev. David Ryan of St. Francis de Sales Parrish gives the closing prayer at the Lake Zurich Memorial Day service that followed the parade May 27, 2024. (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
“The event aims to provide the community with an opportunity to pause our busy lives and reflect on loved ones we have lost as well as those who gave their lives for our freedom,” Kingswood officials stated on the website.
Lt. Matthew Page, Staff Chaplain of Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony at Knopf Cemetery in Buffalo Grove on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Trent Sprague/Pioneer Press)
Members of Scout Troop 401 march to a flagpole to lower an American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Knopf Cemetery in Buffalo Grove on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Trent Sprague/Pioneer Press)
The Memorial Day parade was back in Lake Zurich, after a The parade rolled down Main Street, Old Rand Road and then finished at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Lake Zurich Police Department.
A special tribute ceremony was held there.
“Most of our members live within 30 minutes of our post. We were unable to have a parade for the past four years due to COVID and street repairs. Now … we are marching again,” village officials stated in a post announcing the parade and ceremony.
