CHICAGO - An estimated more than 100,000 turned out during Chicago's Memorial Day ceremony and parade on Saturday, May 28, 2016, to honor the nation's servicemen and women.
Jim Frazier, Goldstar father and survivor outreach support coordinator, hosted the Gold Star Families breakfast at Macy's, in downtown Chicago, to honor the families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, losing a loved one in service to the country.
Attendees included the Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel; former Chicago Alderman James Balcer; U.S. Illinois National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Zebonia; U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Stephen C. Evans, Commander of the Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes; U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. (retired) Walter G. Vartan; U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco Jr., Commanding General, 85th Support Command; Coast Guard Lt. Commander Matthew Dooris; Executive Officer Marine Safety Unit; and Marine Col. Paul R. Weaver, Commanding Officer Marine Air Control Group 48, and the parade's grand marshal Lt. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command.
"I'm delighted to be here today at what is believed to be the largest, certainly the best Memorial Day Celebration in the country," said Dahl. "I've served in 23 different locations so I am qualified to say, Chicago does this as well or better than any place I've ever seen."
During the wreath laying ceremony at the Richard J. Daley Plaza, Dahl shared that all branches of the military, whether active, guard, or reserve, are not separate, but serve as one military.
"And it is not our military, it is your military," explained Dahl as he motioned to the audience gathered at the Daley Plaza. "We serve you by defending the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, at home and abroad."
Dahl also took a moment during the ceremony to quote former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on what it is to be an American.
"Americanism is a matter of mind and the heart," quoted Dahl. "Americanism is not and never was a matter of race or ancestry."
Dahl ended his speech by taking a moment of silence to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom and asking the audience to commemorate those who have fallen by taking some time to serve their communities and those around them.
During the ceremony Eli Williamson, co-founder and president of Leave No Veteran Behind, was awarded the Maj. Gen. John A. Logan Patriot Award for his work in co-founding and working with Leave No Veteran Behind, an organization that assists veterans with employment opportunities, transitional jobs, and debt-relief scholarships.
Also recognized was Cadet George Pina, who received the Cadet of the year Award. Pina is a student at the Chicago Military Academy, where he serves as the Cadet Battalion S-3/operations sergeant major. In that role he is responsible for training and operations of more than 320 Chicago Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
The ceremony ended with the laying of four wreaths at the Eternal Flame in the plaza: Gold Star Family, Prisoner of War/Missing in Action, Armed Forces and the United States of America. The ceremony concluded with the singing of "God Bless America," firing a three round volley and the playing of taps.
Immediately following the ceremony, the Chicago Memorial Day Parade began with veterans, local military units, and 45 JROTC schools, consisting of more than 6,000 cadets, marching down State Street.
Maiocco, stated that he felt honored to attend the Chicago Memorial Day parade and breakfast to honor the Gold Star families.
"It was a great event as always," said Maiocco. "It's always an honor to talk to the family of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Maiocco also attended the Memorial Day commemoration for his local community of Arlington Heights with an estimated near 10,000 in attendance.
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