Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― All across the city and suburbs, people are finding a variety of ways to set aside time to honor and remember the nation's veterans.

President-elect Barack Obama is back in Chicago, and he lay a wreath at the Bronze Soldier's Memorial at Soldier Field. He was accompanied by Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, who's an Iraq war veteran.

And as CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, in the Bronzeville neighborhood, hundreds of military students joined in the annual Veterans Day Parade, which stepped off at 43rd Street and King Drive. Organizers say the parade honors all veterans and teaches young people about the sacrifices men and women have made for their freedom.

Veterans grew emotional at the famous Doughboy statue, which honors the all African-American fighting Eighth Regiment in World War I. The veterans said they have great hopes for the next commander in chief, President-elect Obama.

Marvin Mayberry said the main concern is to "get control of this economy, because if the economy is not in good shape, we will be in jeopardy, because our military won't have the resources available to defend us."

"We hope that the military will get larger. Right now, they're going to smaller and doing multiple tasks," said Nathan Walker.

"My hope is he will continue to take care of veterans, not only to talk about it, but to make things possible, for veteran health benefits, education and jobs, jobs, jobs," said parade organizer Col. Eugene F. Scott.

The parade ended at the Victory Monument at 35th Street and King Drive. There were also tributes to other units, including the Tuskegee Airmen.
The 11 a.m. start time for many events honors the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, on which Germany signed the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

In the Loop at 11 a.m., Mayor Richard M. Daley joined with Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn to attend a ceremony at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., in conjunction with a new exhibit, "Winds and Words of War." The traveling exhibit from the San Antonio Public Library includes 40 framed posters encouraging support for the troops in World War I, from artists such as Dana Gibson, Howard Chandler Christy, James Montgomery Flagg, Guy Lipscombe, and the legendary Norman Rockwell.

A flagpole ceremony was also scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Town Square at 4100 N. Damen Ave. in the Northcenter neighborhood.

A Veteran's Day ceremony was also held on the city's Far Northwest Side. Ald. Brian Doherty (41st) and State Rep. Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) were among the speakers scheduled for the event at Monument Park, at Avondale and Oliphant avenues.

At 10:15 a.m., Aurora kicked off its Veterans Day parade and ceremony at Benton and Water streets. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) is among those scheduled to attend.

At 11 a.m., the town of Cicero dedicated its new war memorial at the New Cicero Municipal Center, 4949 W. Cermak Rd. Also at 11 a.m., the American Legion Post 166 was the sponsor for a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Glenview Road and River Drive in Glenview, and the American Legion, VFW and Westmont Park District host a ceremony at Ty Warner Park, at 801 Blackhawk Dr. in Westmont. A tribute to veterans was also set for 11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 330, at Legion Drive and Ruth Street in Calumet City.

At 1 p.m., Brookfield Zoo hosts a ceremony honoring veterans. Guests are asked to bring items which will be donated to the troops overseas. The ceremony at the zoo's Roosevelt Fountain is followed by a free dolphin show at 2:30 p.m.

Exhibitions and performances of patriotic themes for all tastes are also going on across the area. At noon in Palos Park, Frank Pugno plays patriotic and old-time music at the Center, 12700 Southwest Highway. Also at noon, the Sedgebrook Retirement Community at 800 Audubon Way in Lincolnshire hosts an art exhibit from the National Vietnam Art Museum. With the issue of gays in the military making some headlines again during the latest election cycle, the Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival is presenting three films on the subject at 7 p.m. – "Seeds of Summer," "Dog Tags," and "Ask Not," at the Landmark Century Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St.

Chicagoans are also taking time out to assist those who have risked their lives for the country. Pizzas for Patriots tapped Lou Malnati's to help ship pizzas to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday, they will deliver 200 Home Run Inn pizzas to patients at Hines Veterans Hospital outside Maywood, and one to the Jesse Brown Veterans Hospital on the city's Near West Side.

Bears fullback Jason McKie and running back Adrian Peterson are also donating some time for the area's veterans. They are set to visit the North Chicago VA Medical where they will sign autographs and present patients at the hospital with souvenirs.

CBS 2's Joanie Lum, the Associated Press and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.

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

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