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.

We hope to see everyone at the Memorial Day Parade
on Saturday, May 25th. We are Number 91.

Meet up at 11 AM on Wacker Drive between Clark and LaSalle. Again, we are No. 91. Look for us, our signs and our vehicles there. View Map

Everyone is invited! Bring family and friends. You can walk or ride. The Parade is lots of fun and should be over by 2:30 PM or so.

Come out and have fun!!!

CVO is holding a Press Conference and action on the 5th Floor of the County Building (that’s the other half of City Hall at Randolph and Clark) at 9 AM, Monday, October 28th. We’ll be in the hall outside Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s office. We will then proceed into the Budget Committee Open Hearings which are at 10 AM. We will testify that we as veterans and the people of Cook County need the Cook County Board to properly and adequately fund and staff the VACCC to assist the neediest veterans! They must not balance the budget on the backs of our veterans! As you know, the VACCC serves veterans in immediate need by providing funds for utilities, rent or mortgage and transportation. They also provide training and other employment services.

Stand tall and come out and be part of this Press Conference! Please notify members of your organization. We need all veterans to support this action by CVO so that the members of the Cook County Board see that veterans are engaged with this issue! Be there early so we can begin on time and be ready to go into the Open Hearings and testify!

We hope to see everyone at the Memorial Day Parade
on Saturday, May 24th. We are Number 19, which means we will DEFINITELY be on TV this year!

Meet up at 11 AM on Wacker Drive between State and Wabash. Again, we are No. 19. Look for us, our signs and our vehicles there. View Map

Everyone is invited! Bring family and friends. You can walk or ride. The Parade is lots of fun and should be over by 2 PM or so. Be on time, we’ll be kicking off early this year due to our low number!

Come out and have fun!!!

Women Veterans Luncheon Conference | 11 AM – 4 PM → *Registration Required (also attend the Awards Gala for $55 per guest. **$10 Discount for attending the Conference) | Click for Details Here

Awards Gala | 6 PM – 12 AM → Purchase Award Gala Tickets online only $65 per guest. | Click for Details Here

Place an AD for the NWVU 10th Anniversary Souvenir Book | Click for Details Here