People of all ages lined Elmhurst streets on Memorial Day as a convoy of police, fire and military vehicles honored fallen servicemen.
Elmhurst’s traditional Memorial Day parade goes through the city’s downtown and ends at Wilder Park on Prospect Avenue where the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial is located.
This year, due to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, a convoy of about 25 vehicles was organized to drive a 16-mile route through every Elmhurst ward.
More people may have seen the convoy than usually come out to see the parade, said John Quigley, president of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“People were more motivated to come out since they were stuck at home the past two months,” Quigley said.
Depending on the weather, the traditional parade typically attracts between 2,500 and 5,000 spectators, he said. People would arrive early to save a spot along the route.
On Monday, they could familiarize themselves with the convoy route and either stand outside their house, if the convoy was passing down their street, or go to the nearest park, to watch it pass.
They could be out there for 10 minutes, instead of two hours, Quigley said.
The community’s patriotism was evident, as many waved American flags and the vehicles played patriotic music.
Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 also handed out ribbons for a small donation to the post. People donated a total of about $2,500 in exchange for the ribbons, Quigley said.
Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and Chaplain, John Wendel, who has participated in the parade for the past 20 years or so, continued the tradition, waving to the community through the sunroof of a vehicle.
People can watch the entire convoy on YouTube.
On the Thursday before Memorial Day, THB Post 187 held a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park, which included laying a wreath, reading the names of veterans who have died and bagpipe music. A recording of the ceremony starts the video.
