10th annual South Side Memorial Day Parade in Auburn Gresham neighborhood is one of Memorial Day events in Chicagoland

CHICAGO — Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

There are multiple events taking place around Chicagoland on Monday to do just that, including the 10th annual South Side Memorial Day Parade, which steps off in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood — and will finish with a new name.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a wreath ceremony at St. Leo’s Residence for Veterans, located at 7750 South Emerald Avenue. The parade procession then goes off at 11 a.m. and heads west on 79th Street before culminating in after-parade festivities at Veterans New Beginnings, located at 8140 South Racine Avenue.

The event will include honorary guests, live music, free food and more.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient who retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, will be the keynote speaker.

The South Side Memorial Day Parade is a celebration honoring veterans living in the 17th Ward and throughout the city. Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) started the parade 10 years ago to honor Commander Robert Davis, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-55 and died last year at age 81.

Moore is now renaming the parade, which going forward will be known as the Commander Robert Davis South Side Memorial Day Parade.

Here are just some of the other Memorial Day events happening Monday around Chicagoland:

Aurora

Memorial Day Parade

• Begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Benton Street and River Street.
• Features local veterans groups, military organizations, marching bands and more.
• Arlen Peterson, longtime Aurora resident, active community member and cancer survivor, will serve as grand marshal.
• Free parking is available downtown.

Elgin

Annual Memorial Day Observance

• The Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association, in cooperation with the City of Elgin, will host a series of commemorative events at memorial sites and cemeteries across the city, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding with a traditional program at Bluff City Cemetery.
• 8:30 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1001 Villa Street: A combined color guard will present the colors, followed by a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.
• 9 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 U.S. 20: A service will be held at the Garden of Honor to recognize those buried at the cemetery, and the program includes a combined color guard, rifle salute and Taps.
• 9:40 a.m. at Elgin Veterans Memorial Park, 274 North Grove Avenue: Hosted by the Elgin Navy Club and the Elgin Marine Corps League, features a performance by the Elgin Master Chorale. The program will honor veterans interred at sea, concluding with the strewing of flowers into the Fox River, a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.
• 11 a.m. at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Boulevard: A local tradition since 1868, the family-oriented event will include a special tribute marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. The program will feature performances by the Larkin High School Band and the Elgin Master Chorale.
• Visit elginmemorialday.org for more information.

Wheaton

Memorial Day Parade

• Hosted by American Legion Post 76.
• Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park and travel west on Union Avenue then south on West Street (which becomes Warrenville Road), before ending at Wheaton Cemetery with a ceremony led by American Legion Post 76.