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

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington Street). The Parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant, U.S. Coast Guard will serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. Rear Admiral Merchant, who was born in Chicago, recently made history by becoming the first African American female promoted to flag rank in U.S. Coast Guard history.

This year’s Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award will honor André Richardson King; and the City of Chicago will acknowledge two Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) students with the Cadets of the Year Award: C/LTC Lorena Mozo of Farragut Career Academy and C/Capt Fernando Gonzalez of Marine Leadership Academy.

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.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony at 11am will also be livestreamed at Chicago.gov/live.

More information at about this event  can be found here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/memorial_day_parade.html

Saturday, May 10 at 11 a.m. at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood to stand up for veterans and the workers who care for them!

Hey Chicago Veterans!

You’re invited to get assistance enrolling in VA health care, applying for disability compensation, and accessing other benefits you’ve earned.

• Access VA mental health resources.
• Concerns about your toxic exposure while in service?
• Find out what resources you are eligible for.
• Interested in income-based benefits for war-time Veterans and survivors?
• Need help submitting a VA disability claim?
• Need housing or worried about becoming homeless?
• Ready to enroll in VA health care?
• Want to check the status of your disability claim or appeal?
• Want to learn more about VA health care options for women?

This is an exclusive event for Veterans and their families in the Chicago area. Don’t miss this opportunity to access the benefits you’ve earned. Just show up on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Event Location:
6100 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60639

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/3e9256e