Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― American pride was on display Saturday as the nation celebrated its 223rd birthday.

With all the parades, picnics, and fireworks – the party is on to celebrate our freedom. But no where is the holiday more on display than at the Great Lakes Naval Station.

For Navy veterans and those serving right now, this holiday has special meaning on many different levels.

Light rain didn't keep anyone away from the Great Lakes Naval Station 4th of July celebration.

Newly enlisted seaman recruit, Linnie Crudup, says this holiday is a celebration of the greatest nation in the world.

"I was out here working and everybody's like 'thank you, thank you man,' and it made me feel proud, because you know, I was out here picking up trash and they were just saying, 'thank you for serving our country' and I was saying, 'no problem, no problem," Crudup said. "It was meaningful to me, it hit me right here in the heart."

HM Eric Wixson says it makes him really proud to be an American.

"To walk around and wear this uniform and have so many people come up to me and tell me how gracious they are for my service," Wixson said. "It makes me feel so proud to be an American and know why I'm really doing what I'm doing, right now."

The Fourth of July weekend is the only time the Great Lakes Naval Station is open to the public. Commanding Officer Captain David Schnell says this day could not be a better time to get the community and Navy together to celebrate America's birthday.

"You know, there's a lot of people that work very hard, very quietly in the Armed Forces to protect our freedoms," Schnell said. "It's just an opportunity, for everybody, myself included, to say thanks to the men and women in uniform."

This Fourth of July is very special for Navy veteran Thomas Neargarder for two reasons – first, he came to watch his grandson Don Wilson, the lead singer of Melon Cougar, perform.

Neargarder also says, it's important for him to be here to show his patriotism.

"To me, we're free; it could have been different," Neargarder said.

The World War II veteran took part in the largest air battle aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. The 83-year-old was an anti-aircraft gunner back then.

"I was 17-years-old in the first battle and I was scared, I was scared," he said.

Neargarder is in hospice care right now due to a weak heart. He needs oxygen to breathe. He was so determined to be here on the holiday, he demanded to leave the VA hospital to celebrate the Fourth of July.

"Thank you for recognizing our service, we're very grateful," Neargarder said.

Neargarder says in the future, he hopes America can use diplomacy instead of weapons to end conflicts, so there can be peace among all nations. He also says he's grateful to those who came before him, for creating such a secure country.

While nothing could dampen many the patriotic spirit and enthusiasm for many people, the economy did change the way some celebrated. Some towns in the area were forced to cancel their fireworks shows, while others teamed up.

The west suburban community of Bensenville joined with Elmhurst and Wood Dale to pool resources for a fireworks event Saturday night.

Budget cuts and the struggling economy fizzled Elmhurst's plans for its own celebration and fireworks display.

"It's a shame that the economy would invade this kind of celebration," said resident Thomas Clark, who fired up his grill to cook chicken wings, tilapia, ocean perch and catfish for his family.

But many of his neighbors pushed their party to Bensenville, where the collaborative festival featured tunes from Blood, Sweat and Tears.

"We're having a great time, and we're not going too far," Elmhurst resident Julia Wagner said. "We stay out late and (in) five minutes, we're home."

A pyrotechnic crew spent hours setting up for a 30-minute show with $40,000 worth of fireworks that some smaller suburbs would not be able to afford on their own.

"It's a tough economic time," Bensenville Village President Frank Soto said. "We have to be cautious of how we spend money. And with fireworks, it's an extremely expensive proposition for villages. A lot of them are canceling."

CBS 2's Pamela Jones and Suzanne Le Mignot contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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