Memorial Day services honor fallen soldiers

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- While Memorial Day is often lauded as a three-day weekend to spend in the sun, it is a somber holiday, created to honor military members that died in the line of duty.

Arlington Heights honored those service members as well as all living veterans in a parade on Monday. Several thousand people participated in the parade, including Senator Mark Kirk, and the crowd added up to several thousand more.

Families came out in droves to take advantage of the warm weather and teach younger generations about those who have fought to protect their freedoms.

The veterans who marched in Monday's parade span every military branch and war going as far back as WWII. They look forward to gathering for this commemorative tradition every year and are deeply appreciative of the large crowd for its support.

"It's kind of good to still get an applause for what you did fifty, sixty years ago," said Elwood "Woody" Hughes, a WWII veteran.

"I've got a Vietnam license," said David Foss, a Vietnam veteran. "If they see that on the car they pull up alongside, they honk, they want to say something nice."

The 1.25 mile parade route ran from Village Hall along Chestnut and Fremont streets to Memorial Park, where a ceremony was held honoring those who died serving our country. After the parade, Senator Mark Kirk presented a posthumous Bronze Star to the family of World War II veteran John W. Bock.

"While it's tragic when an American hero like John Bock can't live to see his award presented in person," said Kirk, "it gives me great fulfillment to be able to help his family to get the closure they deserve and the recognition that PFC Bock deserves."

Bock served in the European Theater of Operations as a draftsman, a soldier who advanced across enemy lines to scout enemy positions and map out terrain. After the German surrender, Bock remained in Berlin in the Army of Occupation until he was ordered home to Chicago in 1946.