Memorial Day parade a chance to see fading era

Every year at this time parade organizers ask people to watch their march for Memorial Day. Many do, but some don't. The ones who don't are not only missing a yearly tradition to pay respect to soldiers who lived and died during and after wars, but they are missing a glimpse of a fading generation.

The number of World War I veterans across the globe is down to what can be counted on a finger or two. Because of their age, World War II veterans are fading the same way. Thousands die every day across the country.

In a decade, the oldest living veterans will be those who served in the armed forces during the Korean Conflict.

Time is ticking away, but not too fast. Northern Fox Valley residents will still have a chance to see a dozen or so World War II-era residents in Sunday's Dundee Township Memorial Day parade. When it starts at 2 p.m., a few of them will lead it, said Bobbie Andresen, its organizer.

"A few of them will be walking, but many will be riding in cars," she said. "These are folks who are in their 80s or 90s. We're just glad they'll be able to be in the parade."

The parade is sponsored by the West Dundee's VFW post. By looking at its membership, the rate World War II-era veterans are passing mirror the national average.

"There's from 75-100 who fought during World War II," she said. "At one time there were a lot more."

And there still are more Dundee Township residents who served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines during the 1940s. Some are members of the Carpentersville VFW post, which will also be in the parade. And some just decided not to join any veterans' organization, be it VFW or American Legion.

But take a look at the number of American Flags placed on Dundee Township Cemetery East in East Dundee and River Valley Memorial Gardens in West Dundee. It's growing, Andresen said.

Local Boy Scouts will start putting the hundreds of flags on the graves in the East Dundee cemetery early Saturday. It is expected to take them longer than it did five years ago.

The number of living veterans are being replaced with the graveside symbols of their service.

Dundee Township Memorial Day parade will begin at Immanuel Lutheran School in East Dundee. The 30 units of veterans, politicians, police officers, firefighters, churches and civic organizations will walk along Route 72 to Cal Grafelman Park. There, the names of veterans who died in the last year will be read.

"If people want to add a name to our list, they are welcome to do so," Andresen said. "It doesn't have to be a veteran who lived in this area. It could be a relative of theirs. All we ask only is to have the names of the veterans who died in the last year."

Call Andresen at (847) 551-1981 if you have a name to add. All the names must be received by Saturday.

Also, people who attend the parade and ceremony in the West Dundee park are welcome to bring a flower to be put by a wreath for a veteran.

The West Dundee VFW post will also have a ceremony at the Route 72 bridge over the Fox River on Monday at 10 a.m. An hour later, members will have another ceremony at River Valley Memorial Gardens. Then they will go to the Dundee Township Cemetery East along Route 25 for a ceremony honoring the growing number of veterans buried there.