Chicagoans pack parades, beaches on Memorial Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- With perfect temperatures rounding out the long weekend, many flocked to parades and beaches in Chicago and surrounding suburbs on Memorial Day.

Chicago Police added over 1,000 patrols to North Avenue Beach for the long weekend in an effort to keep beachgoers safe. At least six people were transported to hospitals nearby for injuries or illnesses, the Chicago Fire Department said.

THOUSANDS PACK PARADE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

In suburban Arlington Heights, thousands packed a parade route Monday morning to mark Memorial Day.

Parade organizers read the names of 58 young men from the town who died serving the country and afterward.

The Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade is one of the largest in the Chicagoland area. The route was lined with hundreds of people cheering on the servicemen and women marching down the streets.

"The true meaning of Memorial Day all over our nation is to remember our fallen heroes, those service men and women that went off to service and died in the service of our nation," Greg Padovani, Veterans Memorial Committee, said.

There were several new additions to the parade this year including a Marine Corps League Mounted Color Guard featuring four mustang horses that are part of a therapy program to help Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

LONGEST RUNNING PARADE IN FULL SWING IN BEVERLY

Touted as Chicago's longest running Memorial Day parade, the Beverly Community Parade was back in full swing on Monday.

Scores of people were on hand to watch the Marine Color guard. The annual ceremony at Ridge Park also featured a 10K run.

The parade, which started in 1923, is sponsored by the Road Home Program, which provides resources to help veterans return to life back home after active duty.

WATCH: Facebook users share Memorial Day wishes

Facebook users shared their Memorial Day wishes on the ABC 7 Chicago Facebook page.

ELGIN CELEBRATES MEMORIAL DAY 150TH TIME

Barrington High School Junior Amanda Valencia read the Gettysburg address, a traditions at Elgin's Memorial Day ceremony that goes back to the very first Memorial Day observance in Elgin 150 year ago.

The cemetery was adorned with hundreds of flags marking the grave sites of veterans. Don Seyller has been placing the flags for nearly 20 years.

"I consider it an honor," said Seyller.

The eldest surviving veteran in Elgin is Ed Schmidt, who turns 100 in September.

"I'm going to go to 150," he said.

Nearly 700 veterans are at the site.

The cemetery was adorned with hundreds of flags marking the gravesites of veterans. Don Seyller has been placing the flags for nearly 20 years.

DUPAGE COUNTY HOLDS WREATH-LAYING

On Sunday, a wreath-laying by Gold Star families was held in Wheaton during a memorial service honoring DuPage County residents who died in military conflicts. The event also featured a weapons salute by the DuPage Honor Guard.

An event was held in Wheaton on Sunday to honor DuPage County residents who died in military conflicts.

TRUMP LAYS WREATH AT TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER

The country paused Monday to remember and honor those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice.

President Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.