CIA Director David H. Petraeus of the Central Intelligence Agency will lead this year’s Memorial Day Parade as its Grand Marshal and participate in the Wreath Laying Ceremony preceding the parade on Saturday, May 26, 2012.
General David H, Petraeus (U.S. Army, Retired) became the 20th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on September 6, 2011. Director Petraeus has dedicated his life to public service, retiring from the United States Army on August 30, 2011 after a distinguished 37-year career.
He last served as Commander, NATO International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces- Afghanistan from July 2010 until July 18, 2011. His other four-star commands include assignments as the 10th Commander, United States Central Command, and as Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq during the surge.
This year, parade will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Taps with a special tribute. In 1862, Oliver Wilcox Norton wrote what he called “the hardest 24 notes to play”. The all too familiar cadence of notes first played by Wilcox during the Civil War and will be played by a group of from Bugles Across America to mark the anniversary.
Included in the day’s events will be a special recognition of the Illinois Gold Star Families at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at 11:00 am on Daley Plaza and at the Parade. The parade steps off at noon at State and Lake Streets proceeding south on State to Van Buren.
The Chicago Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. This year’s parade will be dedicated to all soldiers who fought and died in our country’s recent conflicts. The City of Chicago is proud to have post 911veterans represented in our parade this year.
Happy New Year!!
The first meeting of CVO in 2018 will be held on Wednesday, January 17th at 7 PM in the 2nd floor Conference Room of the Jesse Brown VA Hospital at 820 S Damen Ave in Chicago. Arrive early if you are interested in the committees and catching up on what CVO is doing; members of the Executive Committee will be there by 6 PM.
The agenda is really exciting! We’re going to start with a presentation by veteran activist Aaron Hughes on the Right to Heal Campaign. Then we are going have Bill Luna back to make another presentation on Latino veterans. We will also be giving out coupons for free haircuts at the Hair Cuttery.
In case of inclement weather, be sure to call us at 773-243-2335 to get the latest meeting information.
As usual, parking will be validated and pizza will be served!
See you on the 17th!