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Lincolnwood celebrated Memorial Day with many smiles and some solemn moments honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country.

American Legion members from across the area, officials and residents gathered for a parade that kicked off from Pratt and Cicero in the village and made its way to Proesel Park, where a Memorial Day ceremony was held.

Attendees spanned an age range of about 100 years, thanks to the appearance of Seymour Began of Lincolnwood, who turned 100 last year. Began served with the Navy in World War II and was in command of a shallow water mine sweeper.

The ceremony included the playing of “Taps,” a color guard from American Legion Post #1226, the singing of the national anthem, speeches and an honor guard rifle volley salute performed by Lincolnwood police and fire department members.

Ed Smith, past commander of the American Legion Post #1226 smiles as he passes out flags at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Ed Smith, past commander of the American Legion Post #1226 smiles as he passes out flags at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Unit Commander Lenny Jakubiak with Chicago's Young Marines played Taps at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Unit Commander Lenny Jakubiak with Chicago’s Young Marines played Taps at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Members of the American Legion Post #1226 Color Guard are, from left, Dean Kakes of Franklin Park, Mike Kawasaki of Cary and Christina Hildebrandt and her husband Adam of Morton Grove. They participated in the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Members of the American Legion Post #1226 Color Guard are, from left, Dean Kakes of Franklin Park, Mike Kawasaki of Cary and Christina Hildebrandt and her husband Adam of Morton Grove. They participated in the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Seymour Began of Lincolnwood, who turned 100 last year, served in the Navy in WWII in command of a shallow water mine sweeper. He was acknowledged with his daughter Carolyn Hogan, left, and son Grant Began at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Seymour Began of Lincolnwood, who turned 100 last year, served in the Navy in WWII in command of a shallow water mine sweeper. He was acknowledged with his daughter Carolyn Hogan, left, and son Grant Began at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Jay Hinshaw and family ride in their '58 Chevrolet station wagon at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)3135202
Jay Hinshaw and family ride in their ’58 Chevrolet station wagon at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)3135202
Sophie, 4, above and her sister Lily, 2, get pulled in their wagon by their dad Steve Chamberlain of Skokie at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Sophie, 4, above and her sister Lily, 2, get pulled in their wagon by their dad Steve Chamberlain of Skokie at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Honoring veterans, Sharon May of Lincolnwood talks about the roughly 20 men and women of her family and relatives who have served in various military branches in and between wars going back to the Civil War. She spoke at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade,which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Honoring veterans, Sharon May of Lincolnwood talks about the roughly 20 men and women of her family and relatives who have served in various military branches in and between wars going back to the Civil War. She spoke at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade,which was followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Ellie Evens, 17, of Lincolnwood, who is in choir, theater and a cappella at Niles West High School, sings a beautiful rendition of the national anthem at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Ellie Evens, 17, of Lincolnwood, who is in choir, theater and a cappella at Niles West High School, sings a beautiful rendition of the national anthem at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Waiting for the parade to start are Marianna Singer and her children Hector, 9, and Leah, 5, at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Waiting for the parade to start are Marianna Singer and her children Hector, 9, and Leah, 5, at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Lincolnwood police and firefighters performed the Honor Guard Rifle Volley Salute at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Lincolnwood police and firefighters performed the Honor Guard Rifle Volley Salute at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Dave Kanno, who was a traffic controller in the Marines, waves his flag at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)
Dave Kanno, who was a traffic controller in the Marines, waves his flag at the Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony in Proesel Park, Monday May 30, 2022 (Michael Schmidt/Pioneer Press)