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Local veterans’ organizations are inviting members of the public to attend the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Brookfield’s Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The Park is located at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Sunnyside Avenue.
Edward Feely American Legion Post #190, which is headquartered in Brookfield, is the lead post for this year’s event, which is being held in conjunction with Brookfield VFW Post #2868 and Amvets Post #99.
The ceremony will include local dignitaries and an address by Dr. William Johnson, an author and historian on the Revolutionary War. A rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” will conclude the program.
Afterwards, participants are invited for refreshments in the recreation hall located in the lower level of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
Zoo to honor vets
Meanwhile, the Chicago Zoological Society is also inviting the public to attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Anyone bringing an item to donate to Operation Stars and Stripes will receive free general admission to the zoo (parking fees still apply). Operation Stars and Stripes is a Lyons-based organization the sends care packages to troops overseas.
The zoo’s ceremony will take place at the Roosevelt Fountain. Two zoo employees – Glenn Granat, a former paratrooper in the 82hn Airborne Division, and Chris Blackburn, who served with the 9th Infantry Division – will place a memorial wreath at the fountain. Participants can also take part in an on-the-ground parachute demonstration.
Veterans fair on Nov. 9
On Monday, Nov. 9, two days before Veterans Day, U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski will host a Veterans Fair at the des Plaines Valley VFW Post #6863, 7256 W. 63rd St. in Summit.
The fair will offer local veterans assistance in a variety of areas, including military personnel and medical records, veterans’ claims and benefits, medals earned but not received, V.A. hospital billing, placement in V.A. homes, G.I. Bill information, nominations for service academies and requesting a U.S. Capitol flag.
A host of organizations, including staff from the Illinois department of Veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines Hospital and more will be on hand to answer questions.
Then event will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 312-886-0481 for more information.