Cary Remembers Veterans with Memorial Day Parade, Service

Representatives and veterans from the American Legion led the annual Memorial Day parade from Holy Cross Lutheran Church to Cary Veteran’s Park. They were followed by the Cary-Grove High School band playing an instrumental version of “My Country Tis of Thee” that blended into “America the Beautiful” as the parade progressed.

The Cary Fire Department, Village Board Members, Girl and Boy Scout troops, and the Cary High School band marched in the parade as well, with a line of Cary Fire Trucks bringing up the rear.

“The youth today need to understand the sacrifice our veterans gave and realize that freedom isn’t free,” said Robert Ziminski, leader of Cub Scout Pack 657 and Boy Scout Troop 161. “This is just something little these boys can do to give back.”

Local residents lined both sides of First Street to watch the parade progress. “We’re here to support our veterans, of course. But it is convenient. We’re the first house down the street,” said Cary resident Jeff Kolota.

For many Cary families, participating in the parade is a tradition.

“We come every year to honor the men and women who have fought for our country. This is our 17th year,” said resident Beth Whitworth.

The American Legion held a memorial ceremony for veterans and fallen soldiers immediately following the parade at Cary Veterans Park.

The service began with an invocation, followed by a POW remembrance ceremony, during which POWs and those missing or killed in action were remembered with a set table.

The table was white, to symbolize the purity of the soldier’s intentions. It was set for one, to honor the individual sacrifices, and included salt for the tears from families and friends, lemon for the bitterness of war, a red rose for the blood of those lost, and an inverted glass for those that are unable to toast or be a part of the ceremony.

The table was finished with a folded flag representing those that haven’t come home.

Commander of American Legion Post 276, Albert Young, gave a speech about the history and purpose of Memorial Day.

“We must honor and remember our fallen,” Young said, “their stories of American heroism continue to resonate.”

Speaker Colonel Robert Vorisek, an Iraqi war veteran, echoed Young, adding, “We do not [fight] to build empires or enslave, but to free oppressed people from tyrants and protect our interests at home…We must cherish the memory of the fallen, along with the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities their sacrifices have bestowed upon us.”

Following the national anthem and a rendition of “God Bless America,” Mayor Tom Kierna read the names of all Cary military personnel who were killed in action, dating back to the Civil War. Kierna’s father, a veteran from Portage, WI, was in attendance as a guest of honor, as were veterans from World War II and Korea.

Following the remembrance of the fallen, the ceremony closed with a benediction and an instrumental of the last verse of “Amazing Grace.”

Trustees Kraus, Kaplan, Chisholm, and Lukasik were all in attendance at the Memorial Service.

“I’m really very appreciative of all of the people who came out today to honor the veterans,” Trustee Kraus said. Kraus served in the Navy Reserve from 1986-1994.

“It was an honor to walk in the parade. The ceremony was very moving, and I’m glad to see so much community support.” Trustee Lukasik said.