ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — “It has always been the soldier,” are the words of late U.S. Marine Corps Chaplin Father Dennis O’Brien, from a poem that was included as part of the program at the recent 13th annual “Veterans Breakfast and Celebration” in Arlington Heights.
The event was held Nov. 9, the weekend before Veterans Day, at Luther Village, 1250 Village Drive, Arlington Heights. The ceremony has become a special one for area veterans who served in a number of wars and conflicts.
“Each year, more and more is done to honor our veterans,” Greg Padovani, former Arlington Heights Village Board trustee and chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights, tells Patch.
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Padovani said he uses his network of more than 5,000 veterans and supporters to communicate about veteran issues. More than 170 veterans were in attendance at this year’s event.
Among the veterans organizations participating in this year’s breakfast and ceremony were:
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On display was the “Portrait of a Soldier Memorial,” which displays the portraits of 330 Illinois service people killed in action from 9/11 to the present.
The program began with an opening prayer from Pastor Fred Jacobi, followed by the national anthem and armed forces songs by The Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus.
Padovani, Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes and Rick Remington, of Luther Village, welcomed the veterans. Speakers included Mike Peck, Illinois chairman of the Army 250 anniversary; Dutch DeGroot, 4th District Service Officer.
The 249th birthday of the United States Marines Corps was recognized by Mike Ryan, commandant of the NW Suburban Corps League, Det 80. The program concluded with a closing prayer by Jacobi.
Resources for Veterans
“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the protestor to burn the flag.” Father Denis O’Brien, U.S. Marine Corps Chaplain
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