The rain stopped Monday in time to let the annual Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade step off at 10 a.m. at South Park along Cumberland Avenue and Talcott Road.
Grand marshal Marie Sartor Pawelek, 100, a U.S. Army veteran who helped pioneer music therapy during World War II for service members recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, has lived in Park Ridge for decades.
Of being selected as parade grand marshal, “It’s a real honor for a veteran,” Pawelek said.
Pawelek had a message on Memorial Day.
“I’d like people to remember the veterans for the whole year, every year,” she said. “And do as much as they can for them.
“We’ve got veterans that need a lot of care, hospitalization, housing, mental (health) care, and I feel that we’re not doing enough, really, so it’s time…it’s time.”
Pawelek’s son Michael Pawelek of Elmhurst rode in the back seat of a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible with his mother during the parade. Michael Pawelek served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1982.
“I went to Vietnam,” Michael Pawelek said. “I came back but nobody wanted to wear their uniform when they got back.”
In college, Michael Pawelek wore jeans and t-shirts so that he “didn’t let anybody know.
“The Vietnam War was getting protested back then so I just tried to lay low,” Michael Pawelek said.
The parade featured nearly 70 units. There was candy, and children had their bags ready to collect the treats. Walking in the parade was Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney.
“It’s a great day to remember those who have lost their lives in service of our country,” Maloney said.
“I’m confident that everybody takes time, takes a moment throughout the day to think about that, to think about those who have sacrificed to give us the ability to have a day like today,” Maloney said.
Luke Willmeng, 3, of Park Ridge, in the company of parent Cindy Willmeng, waved a small American flag on Cumberland Avenue.
Luke’s mother said it is important to teach children when they are young about veterans and service members.
“We’re celebrating them today,” Cindy Willmeng said about those in service and who have served.
Lucy Schwich of Park Ridge sat on her father Peter Schwich’s shoulders along the parade route.
Peter reported feeling, “very grateful to be in this country.”
Before the parade, a commemoration took place at the Veterans Monument near the South Park field house.
After the short program, parade organizer Joseph Steinfels, American Legion Post 247 member and Park Ridge 5th Ward alderperson, addressed the audience before asking people to take their positions in the parade.
“Memorial Day is about remembering, remembering those who never made it back,” Steinfels said.
“As we finish the parade today, and as we go off to our respective barbecues, bars, family gatherings, remember at this very minute, all across this world, there are men and women who are serving in harm’s way…so that we may enjoy those barbecues.
“Some of those will not make it home,” Steinfels said, “and those are who we remember.
“Let’s remember.”
