DeKALB – While carrying the American flag for Boy Scout Troop 4 in the Memorial Day parade in downtown DeKalb, Andrew Smith was quietly thinking about what fallen soldiers have done for our country.
The 13-year-old DeKalb resident said he enjoys marching in the parade every year because it reminds him about their sacrifices.
“They served our country, and it’s important to serve them,” the soon-to-be eighth-grader at Clinton Rosette Middle School said. “They’ve done so much, and we can’t really repay them, but we can honor them by marching today.”
Hundreds of residents lined Lincoln Highway to watch marching bands, Scout troops and veterans organizations in the parade before a Memorial Day ceremony Monday morning at the Ellwood House Museum.
DeKalb resident Earl Hanson, who served in the Army from 1963 to 1971, said Memorial Day means everything to him because he’s lost so many friends and family members in wars.
“The holiday is about making people who haven’t served or who don’t understand the emotional aspect of it aware of the importance,” he said. “I just want people to say ‘Thank you.’ I don’t want money, I want people to stand up and salute the flag.”
Brent Bacon of Genoa, who served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2008, marches in the Memorial Day parade every year.
He said it’s an honor to carry the American colors.
“It’s my way of remembering. We have to remember where we came from,” he said. “I’m fortunate that I didn’t have to cash my check with my life, so we need to remember those who did.”
George Jaros, Cubmaster for Pack 131 in DeKalb, said it’s important for his Scouts to march in the parade so they can see how soldiers are honored and remembered.
“They need to know that it’s part of their civic duty to show that respect along with the rest of the community,” he said. “We talk about respecting the heroes in our lives. We put flags on the graves of soldiers in Fairview Cemetery on Saturday, so I think they understand the significance of this day.”
Diana and Mike Huttunen of DeKalb bring their grandchildren to the parade every year in hopes that they’ll carry on the tradition of honoring fallen veterans. The family was headed to Fairview Cemetery after the parade to clean graves.
“We want our grandchildren to learn the history of Memorial Day, and to honor the fallen and thank those who are still living,” Diana said.
Martin Claar brought his two sons, ages 3 and 1, to the parade so they’ll understand the importance of Memorial Day from a young age. He said children need to understand what others have sacrificed on their behalf.
“We’ve come every year since we’ve been in DeKalb, and it’s extremely important because these are people who are giving up parts of their lives to make sure we can have a good life and do things we’d like to do,” he said.
Members of the DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice placed photos of Illinois service members who’ve died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan on the Ellwood House lawn. Steve Kapitan, coordinator of the network, said more than 200 photos of service members, including three from DeKalb County, were displayed.
“These photos remind people of their sacrifice, and they make it more relatable to people,” he said. “Sometimes people lose sight of the reason for the holiday. It gets viewed as a second Veterans Day, but this is a day to honor the fallen and to recognize their sacrifice and human cost of going to war. That’s the reason for Memorial Day.”