The Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade will return on Mon., May 30 with Beverly/Morgan Park resident Commander Elisabeth Pennix, US Navy Reserve, and Master Sgt. Ginny Narsete, US Air Force (Retired), the organizers of Operation HerStory, marching as Grand Marshals.
Held last October, Operation HerStory was Illinois’ first all-female veterans flight to Washington D.C., honoring 93 women who served during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. Narsete, a Vietnam veteran and former Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, is the organization’s founder and Pennix is vice chair. The flight was a milestone, dedicated to highlighting the vital contributions of women in the military.
The Memorial Day Ceremony honoring the people in the U.S. armed forces who have given their lives in service to our country, will be held at 9 a.m. at Ridge Park. The ceremony includes the laying of the wreath, taps and a solemn remembrance of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade is the oldest community Memorial Day parade in Chicago, and follows BAPA’s Ridge Run, about 10:30 a.m., stepping off from 110th and Longwood Drive and traveling north to Ridge Park.
It features military vehicles, a color guard, the Patriot Guard, scout troops, Daughters of the American Revolution, Lady Liberty, floats, antique and vintage vehicles, flags, the Christ the King Jesuit Marching Band, the Vader’s First 501st Legion Star Wars unit, the Jesse White Tumblers and lots more.
Area families, businesses, institutions, groups and others are invited to march to honor the men and women who have given their lives in the U.S. armed services to protect our freedom as Americans.
Applications for BAPA’s Beverly/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade are available online at BAPA.org/ridgerun until May 15.
