The ceremony will once again take place just inside Gate 0 of Soldier Field in front of the Doughboy statue. Along the wall are benches to provide seating and moments of reflection. The benches contain notable quotations regarding the efforts of those who serve our country. Actual Military Medals of Honor representing the various branches of the armed forces are cast into the backrests.

Soldier Field was named as such at the request of Gold Star Mothers to honor those men lost in World War I. The Doughboy statue, originally placed in Garfield Park, was restored and installed in Soldier Field as part of the stadium renovation. Doughboy is an informal term for a member of the United States Army or Marine Corps, especially members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.

Veterans Day is the one day set aside to thank and honor living veterans who have served honorably in the military in wartime and peacetime. Originally known as Armistice Day and so declared by President Woodrow Wilson, it was created to mark the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I. Following World War II, it was declared a day to honor all veterans and in 1954, renamed Veterans Day by Congress.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Time: 10 am
Location: Soldier Field, Gate 0, 1410 Museum Campus Drive Chicago, IL 60605
Admission: FREE
Accessibility: Fully accessible.
Parking; FREE parking is available at the Waldron Parking Deck; exit at 18th Street from Lake Shore Drive.

Join CVO in the Memorial Day Parade at 11 AM on Saturday, May 23rd. We’ll have vehicles. You can walk or ride. Bring the family! It will be a lot of fun! Wear your CVO hats and shirts!

We’re number 81 and we’re forming up on Wacker Drive between LaSalle and Wells. The kick off is at noon and we march down State Street. You may be on TV. The parade will be over by 2 PM or so.

All member organizations are invited to march with CVO. Join us!

Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.

Dates:
Saturday, May 28, 2016

Hours:
Wreath Laying Ceremony begins @ 11 am; Parade begins @ 12 Noon

Location:
State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren
State St. & Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60602

Download (PDF, 427KB)

Join individual members from various veteran organizations for a short program in Chicago’s’ Kennedy Park, remembering and honoring Americas’ Forgotten, a prelude to both next year’s 65th Anniversary. Saturday, July 22, 2017 @ 10:30 am at Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Ave.,Chicago, IL. 60643.

Download (PDF, 784KB)

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), Brookfield Zoo, and The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration will host The VIETNAM WAR 50TH COMMEMORATION ceremony on Thursday, September 7, 2017; and invites all eligible veterans to complete the enclosed application and return to Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs office no later than Friday, August 25, 2017.

ELIGIBILITY: Living United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the Vietnam War period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. The Lapel Pin, its shortened moniker, is used to help listeners and/or readers understand the weight of importance and symbolism represented in each element of this “lasting memento of the nation’s gratitude” presented to all Vietnam veterans.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War

Thursday, September 7th, 2017

Application is due to Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs by

August 25, 2017 11:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/

Brookfield Zoo in the Swan Pavilion

The Pavilions at Brookfield Zoo are located near the North Gate entrance

8400 31st Street (1st Avenue & 31st Street) | Brookfield, Illinois 60513

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs requests the honor of all veterans’ who served during the Vietnam War (from 11/1/1955 through 5/15/1975) participation at The 50TH COMMEMORATION OF THE VIETNAM WAR ceremony, which will be held at Brookfield Zoos’ Swan Pavilion. The Vietnam War 50th Commemoration ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 7, beginning at 11:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. The purpose of this program is to recognize, thank and honor United States military veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Vietnam Veterans participating in the 50th Commemoration ceremony will be recognized with one Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, Presidential Proclamation (2012), Certificate of Appreciation, and Resolution from the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Any Vietnam Era veterans interested in participating must submit the attached application. The commemoration aims to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.