While rain hit the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall several times in the hours leading up to the May 25 Memorial Day ceremony, none fell during the ceremony itself.
The ceremony was organized by the Niles-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7712 and the village of Niles government. Local Boy Scout troops and members of the Niles fire and police departments joined in. In spite of the threat of rain, the number of residents who came to see the ceremony was about the same as it was during the sunny, clear Memorial Day the year before.
Mayor Andrew Przbylo, Village Manager Steve Vinezeano and Village Clerk Marlene Victrone attended the ceremony. Dean Strzeleckiand Denise McCreery attended the event before, but this was the first time they attended as village trustees. Trustee Danette Matyas also attended.
The ceremony started at 11 a.m. Amirante thanked everyone for coming, especially given the weather conditions.
Post 7712 chaplain and former Niles trustee Chris Hanusiak led the crowd in prayer, praising the men and women who gave their lives in battle.
The post then presented Przybylo and Victorine with awards for their service to the organization. They also planned to present the awards to Niles trustee and Niles Park District Director Joe LoVerde and the Niles Park District Services Department Superintendent Jim Majewski, but neither was present.
Vinezeano later explained that Post 7712’s headquarters are located on the Niles Park District property.
Victorine said she’s been a long-time supporter of the VFW, and she tries to help the organization any way she can.
After the awards were handed out, Przybylo addressed the crowd. He said that freedom all Americans enjoy wouldn’t have been possible without the sacrifices of the members of the military.
“Let us celebrate their lives and their gift to us – the gift of freedom,” said Przybylo.
He also said that he was recently pleased to learn that the Niles Department of Family Services has been working on programs to help local veterans.
Niles Fire Department District Chief Orlando Diaz was the next to speak. He emphasized that everyone must remember that Memorial Day wasn’t just a day off – it was a day to remember all of the fallen soldiers.
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Deputy Police Chief Vince Genualdi said that, a day before, he had a get-together with his friends and neighbors. He asked the kids who attended what Memorial Day meant to them.
“From the mouth of babes, every response had a theme of thanking soldiers who served our country,” said Genualdi. “Not one of them said ‘a day to skip school.'”
He urged everyone in attendance to do something to recognize veterans past and present, including sending cards to active service members.
VFW members then laid the wreath at the memorial, adding flowers to symbolize soldiers in various wars. After another prayer, Amirante took the microphone again.
The ceremony ended with the VFW’s rifle squad giving the veterans a three-rifle salute.
Igor Studenkov is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.