Illinois Guardsmen March in Parade Honoring Veterans in Chicago

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CHICAGO (12/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Veterans, military supporters, and local and state leadership braved a cold, rainy day in Chicago to watch active duty, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers from all military branches march in the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade Dec. 15.

The parade, dedicated to post-9/11 veterans, is an opportunity to welcome home veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars while showing continued support for the troops still fighting the war on terrorism.

Gov. Pat Quinn attended along with Alderman James Balcer, Col. Duane Hayden of Chicago, Illinois Air National Guard Director of Logistics, and Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Flossmoor, Illinois Army National Guard 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Officer in Charge. Masters of Ceremonies for the parade included Bill Curtis and Balcer. Curtis, who is an actor on the television show Cold Case files, was the main presenter at the parade.

Quinn expressed what the parade means to the city of Chicago and those who serve.

"It's great to see everyday people volunteering and coming together for a great cause," said Quinn. "And it's important that we never forget the servicemembers that have lost their lives or were wounded protecting the democracy of this great country."

Soldiers from 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside and the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago marched in the parade as Airmen from the Peoria-based 182nd Airlift Wing participated in the Joint Service Color Guard.

"I think it's a real honor to welcome home our heroes and to pay tribute to their sacrifices and what they do for our country," said Rochelle.

The parade, held on the one-year anniversary of the end of the Iraq war, was part of a two-day event which started on Friday at Thompson Center's outdoor plaza with the Reading of the Fallen Ceremony. At the ceremony, more than 6,600 names of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines were read, honoring those who have lost their lives in service since Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony began at exactly 9:11 a.m.

More than 22,000 Soldiers and Airmen from the Illinois Army and Air National Guard have been deployed since 9-11. Of that, approximately 11,500 were Soldiers and 10,500 were Airmen. The Illinois National Guard has lost 33 Soldiers and one Airman in the war on terror.

Hayden said events like these help strengthen the bond with the community.

"The citizens of the state of Illinois and Chicago are honoring the brave men and women that serve this nation, which promotes service to this country and patriotism, and lets servicemembers know that we care," said Hayden.

Balcer, a former Marine, paid his respects to his fellow servicemembers.

"For those individuals who have served, it's time we take pause and recognize their willingness to give and serve this country," said Balcer. "It's time we stop and say, thank you...for everything you've done for us."

The event ended with a Veterans Resource Reception held at the Chicago Cultural Center following the parade. Intended to help bridge the gap between veterans and the resources available to them, the reception was designed to promote and facilitate sustained support for veterans and their families.

For more information on the two-day event, please visit the website http://www.chicagowelcomeshometheheroes.org/.

Photo 1: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Airmen from the Peoria-based 182nd Airlift Wing march with the Joint Service Color Guard in the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade in Chicago Saturday, Dec 15. Local and state officials along with military leadership and supporters lined Columbus Drive to watch the parade dedicated to post-9/11 veterans and the servicemembers still fighting the war on terrorism.

Photo 2: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Soldiers from the 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of Chicago sing cadence and march in the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade in Chicago Saturday, Dec. 15. Local and state officials along with military leadership and supporters lined Columbus Drive to watch the parade dedicated to post-9/11 veterans and the servicemembers still fighting the war on terrorism.

Photo 3: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Veterans, military supporters, and local and state leadership braved a cold, rainy Chicago day to watch active duty, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers from all branches march in the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade Saturday, Dec. 15. Local and state officials along with military leadership and supporters lined Columbus Drive to watch the parade dedicated to post-9/11 veterans and the servicemembers still fighting the war on terrorism.

Photo 4: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Veterans, military supporters, and local and state leadership honor the Gold Star Families float at the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade Saturday, Dec. 15. Local and state officials along with military leadership and supporters lined Columbus Drive to watch the parade dedicated to post-9/11 veterans and the servicemembers still fighting the war on terrorism.

Source: http://readme.readmedia.com/Illinois-Guardsmen-March-in-Parade-Honoring-Veterans-in-Chicago/5173668

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