CHICAGO (WLS) — City of Chicago leaders came together at Soldier Field to honor Veterans Day and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The ceremony took different moments to celebrate the diversity of the military while inspiring the next generation to carry out their legacy.
“I even put my signature on it to make it official,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
This year’s Veterans Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and a moment to remember the good that is possible.
“To show that anyone growing up in the city, growing up anywhere can reach their dreams,” said Brigadier General Jorge Fonseca.
Born in Mexico and raised in Little Village, Fonseca, became the first Latino in National Guard history to achieve the rank of general.
SEE ALSO | Veterans Day: What’s open, what’s closed
“I learned what service really means, not from generals, not from soldiers, but from neighbors,” Fonseca said. “People who understood that community is strength.”
Johnson said, “It’s real powerful example of who are country ultimately reflects.”
The general’s story, shared during the ceremony at Soldier Field, sparked inspiration for the younger generation, especially those with Hispanic heritage.
“It gives a hope for everyone that you’re not, you shouldn’t be hiding from your culture,” said Rebecca Silva with JROTC.
“My grandfather recently passed,” said Persephone Hutchens with JROTC. “Hearing an immigrant, like, first-generation Mexican American speak, it makes me feel a little bit closer to him.”
The ceremony came during a time when the city of Chicago has made national headlines over immigration enforcement. But those here say they are committed more than ever to remind the world of the meaning of service.
“We must remember that our freedom to disagree, to demonstrate and to determine our own free will, our freedoms that have been paid for with lives and we must protect it at all costs,” Fonseca said.
At the end of the ceremony, the Jewel-Osco Foundation gave a $10,000 donation to Operation Support Our Troops to help veterans get back on their feet.
In Little Village, U.S. Veteran Miguel Perez Jr. was honored at a ceremony.
Perez served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was deployed to Afghanistan twice.
Perez served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was deployed to Afghanistan twice in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
He returned with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which he said led to a drug addiction.
Perez was deported to Mexico, but returned to Chicago after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pardoned him, allowing him to appeal his case and return home to his parents and two children.
Last month, he died, just six years after winning his battle for citizenship. His family said he died while visiting family in Mexico.
Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Wabash and Wacker.
Members of the Chicago chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America led the event to honor and remember our military members.
And in the west suburbs, once again, the city of Aurora honored the men and women of the military with their own Veterans Day celebration.
The sacrifices of those who served were recognized as the city of Aurora celebrated the 87th anniversary of Veterans Day with its annual Veterans Day parade.
“I feel like a lot of times they help us when they’re younger, but they’re kind of thrown into the shadows, but it likes for them to know we still are thankful and still support them,” said Aurora resident Kristine Brilla.
Despite the cold on Tuesday, a small crowd still showed up to honor those who have made the commitment to defend the United States and all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The parade featured local veterans’ groups and military organizations, including the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, The Daughters of the American Revolution and students from the junior ROTC program from local high schools.
Alexander Brilla says he comes from a military family and is so proud to see his oldest daughter march in the parade.
“My brother is currently serving. My sister has served. One of my nephews just graduated the Marine Corps. One of my nephews just graduated at the airport, and my other nephew is in the National Guard. So, we do support the veterans,” Brilla said.
After the parade, there was a ceremony where a U.S. Air Force veteran and instructor at the local high school was the guest speaker.
Many people showed up, saying they think now more than ever, it is important to support the men and women of the military.
And, for many veterans, it can be incredibly difficult to transition back into society after serving in conflict zones. But the group K-9s for Veterans has found that service dogs can help ease that transition for veterans and their families.
Jim Hertz believed he had been training Rossy, a pit bull, for the last several months preparing to give her to a veteran. On Tuesday, Hertz, who served eight years in Afghanistan, learned that the veteran is him, as a gift from the American Warrior Initiative.
The American Warrior Initiative is funded by the Fairway Home Mortgage Company, which donates millions to provide service dogs, their food and veterinarian costs, to veterans. To many veterans, the companionship of a service dog can be a lifesaver.
At Naperville’s field of honor, thousands of flags honor our veterans. Many veterans and others walk quietly through the display. Glenn Petersen who served in the Army in Vietnam is accompanied by Bailey, a toy poodle who has been his companion for 13 years.
K-9s for Veterans adopts dogs of all breeds from shelters. They believe they are improving the lives of both pets and veterans. Hertz and his family say they are immensely grateful.
Of course, it is Veterans Day on Tuesday, but the American Warrior Initiative does about 30 events like Tuesday’s Naperville event per year. And they say to them, every day is Veterans Day.
