Wilmette and Winnetka are scheduled to honor former members of the nation’s armed forces in Veterans Day ceremonies Saturday.
“Many Winnetkans have served, and the village has a long history of supporting veterans,” said Phil Hoza, quartermaster of the New Trier Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4831.
Nick Peters, commander of the Peter Huerter American Legion Post 46 in Wilmette, agreed.
“Unlike Memorial Day, this is a day where we honor both the living and the deceased,” he said. “It’s important to recognize what they’ve done for our country. There are a lot of young veterans who need our support, and this a time to let them know we do support them.”
Winnetka’s ceremony begins at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave, Hoza said, and will feature a presentation by retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Korman. Korman, a resident of Glenview, is a recipient of 13 military awards, including the Bronze Star for service in his fourth combat tour deployment in Iraq, according to Hoza.
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The ceremony, which will also include a flag presentation by members of Winnetka Boy Scout Troops 18 and 20, will conclude with a rifle salute outside the north entrance of the Community House, Hoza said.
According to the Winnetka village website, the one-hour program is sponsored by the V.F.W. post, as well as by the village, the Winnetka Park District, the Hadley Institute for the Blind Veterans Initiative, the two Boy Scout troops and the Winnetka Club.
In Wilmette, members of American Legion Post 46 will be joined at Veterans Park, 1111 Central Ave., by a Wilmette Police Department rifle and honor guard for an 11 a.m. ceremony, Police Chief Kyle Murphy said.
Members of the Wilmette Fire Department will also take part, according to the village website.
For the first time, a contingent from the Chicago Highlanders Pipes and Drums will also be on hand, Peters said, “and we are very grateful to them for being part of the ceremony.”
Peters and Mike Jonscher, former post commander, said Veterans Day ceremonies provide the chance for Americans to tell veterans that their service is acknowledged and valued.
“There are young boys and girls who are serving now, defending their country. When they rejoin us as veterans, they are our fathers, brothers, sons and daughters, and we should focus on their needs,” Jonscher said.
For information on the two ceremonies, visit the Village of Winnetka website at www.villageofwinnetka.org/, and the Village of Wilmette website at www.wilmette.com.
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy