Lauren Wasulko and her family have a tradition of attending Aurora’s Memorial Day parade.
“We come every year and I always did it as a kid,” she said as she and her family awaited the start of the city’s Memorial Day parade Monday morning. “We love Aurora and we love the United States and supporting our local community. We love the marching bands and supporting the local high schools. The kids love coming to the parade and already asked me to pack the candy bags so they can get the candy and wave to the local heroes.”
Beginning at 10 a.m., the parade stepped off at Benton Street and River Street in downtown Aurora where crowds had gathered throughout the morning to enjoy the event.
The parade grand marshal was Arlen Peterson, 89, who has lived in Aurora for more than 60 years and served in Germany as a member of the U.S. Army from 1954-1955.
Jim Cather of Oswego, who is a first cousin of Peterson, stood along River Street as the parade was about to begin and said for him, the holiday is meaningful as “my dad and all of his brothers were in World War II.”
“Arlen was 11 years younger and he went into the military at 18 and didn’t serve in any war but it meant a lot to him to do what his uncles did (serve in the military),” he said.
The parade featured local marching bands, veterans groups and military organizations, the South Shore Drill Team, Lamplighters Barbershop Chorus and more.
Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora, said the parade continues to be a significant part of residents’ celebration of Memorial Day.
“The city of Aurora finds itself doing its best at all times to honor a strong veteran community,” he said. “That’s evident through the multitude of parades and the way we honor them throughout the year. We have Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades as well as multiple events for the Fourth of July.”
Zaghloul said the Memorial Day parade “is really a two-fold event.”
“Number one, we get the opportunity to honor all of the brave men and women who have served this country and lost their lives to protect our freedom,” he said. “Secondly, it’s a great opportunity to bring people together and have a community gathering and fellowship and really take pride in Aurora.”
Stacy Cather said she “was lucky to be off work and come and honor the veterans that have passed before us.”
“Today is especially important as we know the man of honor (Arlen Peterson) and the sacrifices he’s made and all the friends he’s lost,” she said.
Bob Mead of Oswego was part of the Roosevelt Aurora American Legion Post 84 float in the parade and said he served in the Army.
“I always like getting together with my fellow veterans and seeing the crowd,” he said of the parade. “I look forward to it every year. It’s a great day.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
