Chicago Memorial Day Parade a grand, solemn tradition
By April Galarza
Founder of
Memorial Day Civil War General John Logan called on us to “cherish tenderly
the memory of those who made their breasts a barricade between our country
and its foes” on the first Memorial Day held on May 30, 1868.
The history of Memorial Day observances in Chicago goes back to 1870. Formally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day honors citizens who performed the ultimate sacrifice by dying in service of the nation. For 100 years Memorial Day was observed annually on May 30. In 1971 the National Holiday Act changed the date to the last Monday in May.
In Chicago, Memorial Day parades were discontinued in the 1970s due to political unrest but returned in 1997, reinstated by Mayor Richard M. Daley. In 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed to help remind Americans of Memorial Day’s meaning. It called for a moment of silence or the playing of Taps at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Former chair of the Chicago parade Theresa Peterone, Daley, and the City's Special Events Department did much to make the Chicago Memorial Day Parade the singular event it is today. Heralded as the largest Memorial Day parade in the country, its past grand marshals have included Colonel James Hickey (who captured Saddam Hussein); General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Danielle Green-Byrd, an Army specialist wounded in Iraq. Peterone established useful connections between the City and local military including the Great Lakes Naval Academy, Bronzeville Academy, and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs in the state. She was honored by the Pentagon for her work.
This year's Memorial Day Chicago observances will be held Saturday, May 26, and start with an 11 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony in Daley Plaza at Dearborn and Washington Streets. The parade begins at State and Randolph Streets and proceeds south to Van Buren Street at 11:45 a.m.
Since World War I, family members of deceased veterans have hung a gold star in their windows to honor them. In accordance with this tradition, Daley will present Gold Star family members with Gold Star flags to commemorate their losses. A brunch for family members, military personnel, and City officials will be held the week before the parade.
After presenting the flags, four wreaths will be laid at the eternal flame at Daley Plaza: one for prisoners of war and those missing in action, to be laid by former prisoners of war; one for the Department of Defense in tribute to its 60th anniversary; one for Gold Star family members; and one for the United States itself. Also, officials will announce the recipient of the Logan Award for Patriotism; nominees are actor Gary Alan Sinese (who often entertains U.S. troops) and Lisa Moeller. The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors, a 21-gun salute, and a military plane flyover.
This year, 25,000 people will march in the parade, including 7,000 ROTC cadets from Chicago Public Schools. Parade co-chairman Alderman James C. Balcer said the cadets’ presence is key.
“It's good because the kids find out about history and about who died for our country," Balcer said, calling the parade "a living example of history, setting a strong example for young people of what it means to be American: making a sacrifice in the defense of our nation.”
Besides 200 ROTC units, the spectacle will present 15 floats, each commemorating an historic event such as the battles of Midway and Iwo Jima, or historic figures such as World War II pilot Butch O’Hare, flag creator Betsy Ross, and men killed in action who are buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Up to 200,000 spectators are expected; American flags and poppies will be distributed to them throughout the day.
Many organizations are contributing to the Memorial Day observances including the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marines; the Chicago Public Schools; the Pritzker Military Library; the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs; and Tom Day and the Black Sheep Mariners' Bugles Across America.
These
connections, along with Chicagoans’ enthusiasm in accepting and appreciating
military veterans and those who have died serving the nation, make the
annual observance so successful, according to Balcer, who is co-chairing the
observance with Major General John Borling (retired) with help from Veronica
Resa, head of Chicago’s Department of Special Events.
Both parade chairs are war veterans. Borling spent 37 years in the military and now lives in retirement in Rockford, IL. He flew as combat pilot in Vietnam, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war for six and a half years. He also was in charge of the strategic air command during the Gulf War. Balcer served in Vietnam as well, receiving three purple hearts and a bronze star for carrying dead and wounded marines up a 900-foot mountain for 18 hours under enemy fire.
Balcer hopes Chicagoans will keep Memorial Day as a solemn day of remembrance.
“Too many people forget Memorial Day," he said. "It's not a day off from work. It's not a day for a hot dog and beer. It's not a clothing sale, and it's not the top 500 on the radio. It’s a solemn day that we remember those who died in defense of our nation and preserved our democracy and freedoms.”
Organizers are determined Memorial Day observances will not be taken advantage of by politicians for campaigning. No candidates will be allowed to march or speak at the parade, and no participants will carry political signs.
“Traditionally, a parade in Chicago was always a political parade, but this parade is not political in nature," Resa said. "It’s all about the soldiers.”
Beyond its Memorial Day observances, Chicago
has a rich history of war remembrances. Several World War I Victory Gardens
still thrive, including three in the 11th Ward. War memorials and places
named in honor of fallen soldiers can be found throughout the city, such as
the World War I Black Soldiers' Memorial at 35th Street and King Drive and
the Manuel Perez Jr. Plaza at 26th Street and Kolin Avenue. A complete list
categorized by neighborhood, conflict, and alphabetically can be found at
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/warmemorials.html.
A recent addition is the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Reflection Pool at State Street and Wacker Drive, which was dedicated
November 11, 2005. Placed in a peaceful park alongside the Chicago River,
the fountain was designed so that its water holds a reflected image of a
black stone monument inscribed with the names of 2,943 veterans who either
died during the war or died later from war-related causes. A South
Vietnamese flag flies alongside the American and Illinois state flags over a
grassy knoll.
“Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan,” said Memorial Day founder Logan. The general surely would approve of Chicago’s modern observances of Decoration Day.
