Veterans

When DeKalb police officer Jesus Rodriguez returned to work after a yearlong hiatus serving his country overseas, he was greeted with a surprise: a packed lobby full of his colleagues, cheering him on as he walked through the front door

Service and sacrifice runs deep in Grant Park youngster regarding Memorial Day.

A complete makeover transformed the former village hall building into the new breakfast and lunch restaurant, which soon will add a dinner menu for evening service. A free monthly breakfast for veterans is one of the special perks.

Five years after his death, the ashes of John Kirnbauer, a man of which little is known, are set to be placed in the Kankakee Memorial Gardens' Field of Honor during a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery.

A York Community High School history teacher and a Vietnam War veteran are raising money for a new memorial honoring the 114 graduates of the Elmhurst school who died while serving in the military since World War II.

Over 100 people gathered for a ceremony dedicated to the late John Kirnbauer, a veteran whose ashes went unclaimed for five years, on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Kankakee Memorial Gardens.

It took just over seven minutes to read the 137 names of veterans that have died during the past year with ties to Kankakee County.

Wreaths were laid at two locations and one was thrown into the Rock River on Monday, May 26, 2025 to honor the sacrifice and service of veterans during the Oregon VFW’s Memorial Day program. The day’s event also include a program at the Riverside Cemetery, patriotic music by the Oregon High School Band followed by a family-themed celebration at the Post home. Events were also held in Polo and Mt. Morris.

A Vietnam veteran warns about taking freedom for granted and that those who died in military service "deserve to be remembered forever" at the Crest Hill Memorial Day program.

Veterans were honored during the annual Kankakee County Veterans’ Council annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Kankakee County Courthouse on Monday, May 26, 2025.

For many Monday, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, a day off work and a chance to haul out the grill. But it’s not a day of celebration, reminded area veterans and dignitaries at DeKalb’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.

The village of Romeoville will be hosting the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall for one week in August.

DeKalb County-area veterans groups, cities and organizers will host Memorial Day events throughout the county for the public to come together to honor all who’ve died in service to the country. Memorial Day is May 26.

Veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War spoke in support of Jewish service members at a Joliet synagogue and encouraged people to consider the real meaning behind Memorial Day.

Mark Hutson of Woodstock is on a mission to document every military service member from McHenry County who has died in service, going back to World War I.

Casey’s General Store in Cortland is spreading some good will to a veterans charity and DeKalb food pantry after a winning $349 million lottery ticket was purchased at the store.

All donations received during the distribution of red poppies is returned to the veterans through the organizations’ service programs.

The Field of the Fallen has been set up in Cary, where it will remain this Memorial Day weekend to honor service members killed in action.

With a number of ceremonies, parades and speakers planned throughout the Sauk Valley on Memorial Day, here is a list of what local communities will be doing to remember the fallen.

Thousands of motorcyclists will ride in Rolling Thunder Demonstration Parades throughout the country this Memorial Day weekend.

Dylan Blackburn of Dixon owns DK9services, a company specializing in obedience training and behavior modification for dogs. For the past several years, he has volunteered his expertise to the Pups for Veterans program.

Polo High School juniors researched veterans' stories and then shared those stories with their classmates as part of “The Grateful Nation Project” – a nationwide effort honoring those who gave their lives while serving.

Ottawa is showing support for veterans through the annual Poppy Days campaign, which will raise funds for local veterans services and the Honor Flight program. Mayor Robb Hasty officially recognized the effort with a proclamation during Tuesday's council meeting.

Yorkville’s annual Memorial Day ceremony begins 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26 in Town Square Park, 301 N Bridge Street. Last year, hundreds attended the event to commemorate those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to honor military veterans and their families.

Many World War II artifacts will be on display, including tanks, trucks and cannons.

The Lake County Health Department, along with community partners, is excited to launch Operation Dropbox donation drive to support local veterans.

Higher costs and economic uncertainty cited as reasons John Whiteside Memorial Golf Outing currently falling shot of fundraising goals needed for the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ikaika Tautua, serving with the U.S. Army Sustainment Command at the Rock Island Arsenal, will be the guest speaker.

In his column this month, Sterling City Councilman Jim Wise asks Sauk Valley residents to take a few moments on Monday, May 26, to pay tribute to the fallen with somber respect and dignity.

Her passion for teaching turns her classes into hands-on learning experiences that embrace a wealth of topics designed to nurture well-rounded students.

A Memorial Day Ceremony to honor the sacrifices of the nation’s fallen heroes is being hosted by the Batavia VFW Post 1197 on May 26.

A veterans benefits fair is being hosted by the Batavia VFW Post 1197 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 2 at the VFW Post, 645 S. River Street, Batavia. The event features over 50 vendors.

Over 150 people attended the dedication ceremony for the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Bourbonnais, completed by 17-year-old Alexis McCullough for her Eagle Scout project, on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Marcotte Park.

Over 200 people gathered outside the McHenry Veterans Affairs Clinic with signs and flags Sunday afternoon to protest against potential nationwide staff cuts to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Veterans and their advocates rally against potential workforce cuts at the VA, which President Trump's administration has said will streamline services for veterans, but which detractors worry will add further strain to the system.

Representatives from the Veterans Assistance Commission programs, the Honor Flight Chicago program and the Troy Senior programs will be available to talk to attendees at the event

Former U.S. Marine Corps veteran Steven Olesky celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the arcade playing area of his Plano restaurant Planet Pizza. Planet Pizza is located at 216 Mitchell Dr., Plano, just outside of Yorkville.

Dixon VFW Post 540 held a Vietnam veteran parade down Galena Avenue on Saturday, April 26, 2025, to recognize those veterans who didn’t receive the thank you they deserved.

A large crowd turned out Thursday to DeKalb High School for legislative updates with U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood. She spoke on several topics including immigration and whether she's considering a Senate run for retiring Democrat Dick Durbin's seat.

In recognition to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in wartime, Mayor John Purcell proclaimed May 5 – 11 as “Poppy Awareness Days” in Yorkville. Purcell gathered with representatives of the local American Legion Post 489.

A group of Marine Corps League members recently visited McHenry Community High School Upper Campus to present a $500 donation.

Proceeds benefit the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood that provides honorably discharged veterans a military ceremonial burial service at no charge for families that request it.

Rock River Madness bicycling event is May 3 in Dixon; Wed on the Rock is May 4 in Oregon.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support Sterling American Legion activities.

The event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, with a ride-along homecoming parade behind Culver’s of Dixon, 1317 N. Galena Ave.

The American Veterans Alliance is seeking to build a veterans hub in Woodstock that would not be "the old adage of a VFW-drinking-hall type of thing. We want to get away from that,” a nonprofit leader said.

Residents from around Will County gathered in downtown Joliet to protest the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as part of the Hands Off movement on Saturday.

Hundreds crowded in downtown DeKalb Saturday with a message to President Donald Trump: hands off immigration and human rights, the economy, Social Security and government workers, among others. Similar protests were held in all 50 states Saturday.

Serving is from 5-7 p.m.

Commemoration ceremony for National Vietnam War Veterans is 9 a.m. Friday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.