Ceremonies, parades across Chicago area marking Memorial Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ceremonies and parades across the Chicago area are honoring the national's fallen on Memorial Day.

Arlington Heights is holding its annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony and this year's guest of honor is Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch.

The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. and wraps up at Memorial Park,

That's where a remembrance ceremony begins at 11 a.m., honoring local veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Elmhurst holding its 108th annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony.

The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. near City Hall with veterans groups, marching bands, and community organizations taking part.

The new "Elmhurst 250 Bell," created to commemorate the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, will also be unveiled.

The parade ends at Wilder Park, where a memorial ceremony begins at 11 a.m.

Service in Naperville will take place at 7:45 a.m. at the Commander Dan Shanower September 11th Memorial.

Naperville will also hold four other short services

-One at 8:15 a.m.at the G.A.R. Monument on the south side of Naperville Cemetery.

-One at 8:35 a.m. at the Gold Star Families' Memorial at Veterans Park.

- At 9 a.m., people can gather at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery

-At 9:25, there-s a short service at Burlington Square.

The Naperville Memorial Day Parade is at 10:30 a.m.

In Chicago, Beverly and Morgan Park will hold the 100th Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade, stepping off at 10:15 a.m. from 110th Street and Longwood Drive. It will go north to Ridge Park at 9625 S. Longwood Drive. The annual Ridge Run will take place prior to the parade.

Elgin will hold a ceremony at 8:45 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, with another ceremony at 9:15 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park and a 9:34 a.m. ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park and an additional program at 11 a.m. at Bluff City Cemetery.

In Lake In The Hills, a newly rebuilt veterans' memorial next to the Village Hall will be formally rededicated at a 9 a.m. ceremony.

A solemn parade will take place in Woodridge, beginning at the fire station at 75th Street and Woodridge Drive at 9 a.m.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chicago chapter will hold a wreath-laying at the monument on the Riverwalk at 9 a.m.

In Park Ridge, a Memorial Day observance will begin at 9:30 a.m. at South Park Recreation Center, followed by the Annual Memorial Day Parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. from the park rec center and ends at Hodges Park.

Aurora will hold its annual parade, stepping off at 10 a.m. at Benton Street and River Street.

At Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, the parade will step off at 10 a.m. at Rosehill Drive and Ashland Avenue and heads to the cemetery's veterans garden for a 10:45 a.m. ceremony.

The 11th Annual Commander Robert Davis South Side Memorial Day Parade will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at St. Leo Campus for Veterans, 7750 S Emerald Ave. in Chicago, at 10 a.m. and a parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Veteran's New Beginnings at 8140 S. Racine Ave.

In Crown Point, the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. beginning on Joliet Street with a brief ceremony at 11 a.m. at the historic Maplewood Cemetery.

In Plainfield, the parade will step off at 10:45 a.m. at Ira Jones Middle School and end at the memorial in Settler's Park, where a ceremony will take place.

In Crystal Lake, the parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Central high School and end at Union Cemetery, where a service will be held.

The Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOFMS) parade will continue its tradition where "everybody marches and nobody (just) watches."

Orland Park will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the village's memorial Ara Pace, Place of Peace located outside Village Hall.