Events

May
28
Sat
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2016
May 28 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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

Memorial Day Invitation PUBLIC Ceremony 2016

May
30
Mon
Manuel Perez Jr Memorial Day Ceremony @ Manuel Perez, Jr. Memorial Plaza
May 30 @ 10:30 am
Jul
22
Sat
Korean War Veterans Commemorating the 64th Armistice signing @ Kennedy Park,
Jul 22 @ 10:30 am

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.

Sep
7
Thu
50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War 2017 @ Brookfield Zoo in the Swan Pavilion
Sep 7 @ 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

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.

Nov
11
Sat
Chicago Veterans Day Ceremony 2017 @ Soilder Field
Nov 11 @ 11:00 am

Chicago Honors America’s Veterans

The ceremony will take place in front of the Doughboy statue. The program will culminate with a wreath laying ceremony at the Doughboy, a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and the “Armed Forces Medley.”

Soldier Field was named as such at the request of the Gold Star Mothers to honor the 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 of Marine Corps, especially members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.

Veterans Day is 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.

FREE parking is available at the Waldron Parking Deck; exit at 18th Street from Lake Shore Drive.

Veterans Day 2017 Invitation

Dec
7
Thu
2017 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration @ SOLDIER FIELD
Dec 7 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMEMORATION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

SOLDIER FIELD 1410 SOUTH MUSEUM CAMPUS DRIVE, GATE O CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60605
Coffee and Pastries 9:30 am to 10:00 am
Ceremony 10:00 am to 11:00 am

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE PARKING FOR EVENT
MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Alderman James Balcer (Retired), 11th Ward
GUEST SPEAKERS: The Honorable Edward Burke, 14th Ward Alderman and Chairman of City Council’s Committee on Finance Army Major General James Mukoyama (Retired), former Commander 70th Training Division
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Navy Admiral Cecil Haney (Retired), former Pacific Fleet Commander and U.S. Strategic Command Commander
MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT: United States Navy Band, Great Lakes Aleece Baker, USO of Illinois Tom Day, Bugles Across America
COLOR GUARD AND RIFLE TEAM: Navy Junior ROTC Cadets, Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy 2nd, 24th Marines

RSVP: Friday, December 1, 2017 jgray@chicagonavymemorial.org For questions, please contact Jeffrey S. Gray at (773) 679-7835

Download (PDF, 224KB)

Jan
18
Thu
Jesse Brown VA Vietnam Veteran Commemoration @ Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Jan 18 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

VA Medical Center to Host Vietnam Veteran Commemoration

 

The Jesse Brown Veterans Health Care System (JBVHCS) and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) are collaborating to host a Vietnam Veteran Commemoration.

When:  Thursday, January 18, 2018, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

 

Where: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

   820 S. Damen Ave. (Kizer Conference Center | 2nd Floor, Damen Bldg).

       Chicago, IL 60612

 

Join JBVHCS and IDVA on January 18, 2018 as we honor our heroes!

 

Each Vietnam Veteran will receive the Commemoration Pin during the ceremony.

 

Eligibility: Living United States Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975 (regardless of location) are eligible to receive one lapel pin.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAChicago/events

       Vietnam Veteran Commemoration

 

For any questions, please contact us at: chspao@va.gov

jesse_brown_va_Vietnam_Veteran_Commemoration_2018

Mar
29
Thu
National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2018 @ Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Mar 29 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2018 @ Jesse Brown VA Medical Center | Chicago | Illinois | United States

Join Jesse Brown Veterans Health Care System, VBA Chicago Regional Office and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery as we recognize and thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and sacrifices.

Thursday, March 29, 2018  11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center | 820 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL. 60612

Kizer Conference Center | 2nd Fl. Damen Bldg.

Download (PDF, 207KB)

May
26
Sat
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2018
May 26 @ 11:00 am
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2018

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.

Download (PDF, 352KB)

 

May
25
Sat
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2019
May 25 @ 11:00 am
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2019

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 on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will then step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.

Major General Marion Garcia, Commanding General, 200th Military Police Command, United States Army Reserve, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Maj. Gen. Garcia graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1987 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. She has served in a wide variety of staff and leadership assignments as well as during multiple deployments including: Rear Battle Plans Officer with the 14th Military Police Brigade during Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm; Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 720th Military Police Battalion during Operation Provide Comfort Somalia, Commander of the 324th Military Police Battalion with a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq; and Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her numerous awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Parachutist Badge and German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Bronze).

During the Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade, the City of Chicago honors fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one in the United States Armed Forces to combat operations or while on active duty. Approved by Congress beginning in 1947, Gold Star Lapel Pins and the Next of Kin Lapel Pins are presented to families not as an award, but as symbols of honor worn by family members in remembrance of their fallen loved ones and their ultimate sacrifice.