Members of the American Legion place a wreath in front of the Victory of Hinsdale sculpture in Memorial Hall during last year's Memorial Day ceremony, with the Wall of Honor listing fallen servicemen as backdrop. This year's Memorial Day activities on May 27 will start with a sunrise service in Oak Brook and continue with a processionand ceremony in Hinsdale. (file photos)
The 2019 Memorial Day procession sponsored by the Hinsdale American Legion Post 250 will kick off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27.
The parade will start from Third and Washington streets and proceed north on Washington, ending at Chicago Avenue. At the conclusion of the parade, the Post will hold a memorial service on the front lawn of the Hinsdale Memorial Building.
The Hinsdale Central Band and student singer Annie Ascher will perform during the ceremony, and local essay contest participants Anastasia Gilinski, Elizabeth Tabachnikov and Rohan Chadha will read their compositions. Speech contest participants Aiste Austrevicius and Brandon Walker also will be introduced.
Past Commander George Hogrewe will read the poem "In Flanders Field," a task he has carried out for at least 30 years, according to Tom Lynch, adjutant for Post 250.
"That will be a big thing for all of us," Lynch said.
The Names of the Honored Dead will be read, and the ceremony will conclude with a rifle salute and the playing of TAPS.
Early risers can attend the start of the day's proceedings at the 7 a.m. sunrise service at Bronswood Cemetery, 3805 Madison St., Oak Brook. Lynch said honoring the community's fallen soldiers is always moving for him. He also is gratified to see the next generation involved in the day's observance.
"The kids actually getting up there and reading the essays and giving their perspective, because it's such a unique perspective on life from seventh- and eighth-graders, is so neat to see," he said.
