Above / The Naperville Veterans Color Guard steps off along Jackson Avenue to begin the 2018 Naperville Memorial Day Parade, a time to honor the fallen for their service and sacrifice.
Special Commentary to PN (Reposted from 2013)
By Terrance Jelinek
Terry Jelinek
Memorial Day observed on the fourth Monday in May and Veterans Day always on November 11 are two very important days in the hearts of veterans for two entirely different reasons.
memorial day
Memorial Day, the more summer of the two days, is a day that should convey to all Americans the price and pain of the quest for our nation’s freedom. It is a day in which we remember the dead for their service and sacrifice. It doesn’t matter if those who we remember this day died on the battlefield. What is important is that all those who have died have been a part of America’s past and that each one in his or her own way contributed to our American heritage. We recognize that their contributions helped ensure our freedoms.
In America, we have been honoring the dead on Memorial Day (formerly Decoration Day) since the end of the Civil War.
General John A. Logan was the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization of Union Veterans. He issued the following order in response to a request made by Adjutant General Norton P. Chipman:
“The thirtieth day of May, 1868, was designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the country. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this order and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.”
We feel that this order is fitting and proper and are proud to be part of a community/town which continues to mark this observance every year.
The picture of a grave site with a wreath or a flag shows the solemnity of the day. But the veterans who have gone before us want us to celebrate the freedoms that they have helped preserve.
Remember Veterans Day as ’11-11-11′
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, is celebrated every November 11 to mark the signing of the Peace Treaty of the “War that would end all wars,” World War I. The Armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918, proving to be a very happy occasion. The world was once again at peace and millions of soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen from all countries were returning home to their families and loved ones.
Unfortunately, World War I was not the war to end all wars. So in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a day in which we thank all veterans for their service. If you were to think of it as a picture, the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII is a great image.
Editor’s Note / Lifelong Naperville resident Terrence “Terry” Jelinek (April 17, 1948 to December 23, 2018) was an active member of the American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW 3873. At different times, he served as Commander of both Veterans’ organizations. Terry also served on the Memorial Day Parade Committee for many years.
In 2013, Terry contributed special commentary for Positively Naperville to distinguish Memorial Day from Veterans Day.
Memorial Day 2022 is May 30
Weather Forecast Update, May 29, 2022 / When early morning flag raisings begin Memorial Day, the sky is expected to have intermittent clouds with sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s, rising to 89 degrees. Humidity will be low. Still, BYO water to observations. Be safe.
Schedule for Memorial Day Flag Raisings
7:45AM Service at City Hall (Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial)
8:15AM Service at GAR Monument in Naperville Cemetery (south side)
8:35AM Service at Veterans Park (100 E. Gartner Road)
9AM Service at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery (911 North Avenue)
9:25AM Service at Burlington Square (307 N. Ellsworth Street)
Naperville Municipal Band will perform Memorial Day
10:30AM Mon, May 30 – Memorial Day Parade – Downtown Naperville
12:15PM Mon, May 30 — Memorial Day Concert & Patriotic Tributes — Naperville Community Concert Center in Central Park
Memorial Day parade in downtown Naperville
Memorial Day 2022 will be observed on Mon., May 30. In Naperville, the annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10:30AM, headed east along Jackson Ave. to Washington St., north along Washington to Benton Ave. and east toward Ss. Peter and Paul Church.
From Benton Ave., Veterans and the Naperville Municipal Band will head toward the Community Concert Center in Central Park.
(PN File Photo)
At the end of the parade, folks gather in Central Park for a 30-minute observance with music performed by the Naperville Municipal Band, patriotic tributes and a wreath laying that begins at 12:15PM.
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