Waukegan Memorial Day Parade honors those who ‘gave all'
Not a rousing march, it was a serious and slower-moving sound. For the Rev. Richard Frontjes of Christ Episcopal Church, who offered the invocation and benediction for the ensuing ceremony, it meant the entrance to an important event.
Clay Erickson, a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who was at the city's Memorial Day events, said both taps — which came near the end of the ceremony — and the drum cadence have a similar meaning.
'All gave some,' Erickson said of members of the military. 'Some gave all,' he added, referring to those who lost their lives and are remembered on Memorial Day.
Erickson and Frontjes were among more than 200 people who paid tribute to fallen members of the military with the city's annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday in downtown Waukegan.
Mayor Sam Cunningham said the drum cadence during the parade is part of the mood-setting for the ceremony that follows. It pays tribute to the men and women of the military who fought wars risking and, sometimes, losing their lives to protect the freedom that citizens share.
'It helps us understand the sacrifice made for the liberties we have today in this country,' Cunningham said after the events. 'It helps us understand there are times when the armed forces are needed. You have the cadence to help us understand that.'
Leading the parade were a group of veterans — many from American Legion Homer Dahringer Post 2981 — followed by a color guard composed of members of the Waukegan Fire Department, elected officials and the JROTC.
Ron Painter, the commanding officer of the JROTC and a retired Army major, said Memorial Day is a time he thinks of people who died in action to protect Americans' freedom.
Ana Martinez-Martinez is a JROTC member considering joining the military.
Martinez-Martinez said she plans to join the Illinois Army National Guard when she graduates from Waukegan High School next spring. She is planning to start working on her application this summer.
'I want to do more than just go to a job,' Martinez-Martinez said, 'It will also help pay for my education.'
After walking the three blocks on Washington, from Genesee Street to West Street, most of the marchers joined the crowd already assembled at Veterans Plaza. There, they paid tribute to those Erickson said 'gave all.'
Sharing the story of Lt. Homer Dahringer, Cunningham said he was a graduate of Waukegan High, captained the basketball team at the University of Illinois and before the U.S. entered World War I, he completed officer training at Fort Sheridan.
Flying planes behind enemy lines to gather information, Cunningham said, before he flew a mission on Sept. 16, 1918, Dahringer wrote a letter to his parents about a mission he was undertaking. He 'did not anticipate any trouble.' There was also foreshadowing.
''I am scheduled to fly an infantry liaison plane,'' Cunningham said, quoting the letter. ''It is the worst kind of work and everything rests with God. If I do not come back, you may know that I gave my all and my best to my country.' He never came back from that mission.'
Lisa Madden, the board chair of Honor Flight Lake County, has spent most of her adult life involved with members of the military. Her husband is a U.S. Navy veteran and a police officer in Lake County. While people were enjoying time with friends and family, she said they need to pause.
'While it is not wrong to enjoy the freedom protected by those who served, we must remember there are many who are grieving their lost loved ones today,' Madden said.
Taking the message of the day a step further, Cunningham suggested putting the memory of those killed in war into everyday life in, 'how we live, serve and care for one another as neighbors (and) citizens.'
Some of Cunningham's words were not unlike the benediction offered by Frontjes. The pastor said it is important to remember those who were killed in action, but also to take a lesson from their lives.
'As we go forth from this place, may we carry in our hearts the memory of those who gave all,' Frontjes said. 'May their courage strengthen us. May their devotion to duty inspire us. And may their legacy of service guide us to live not only in comfort but in purpose.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Powerball jackpot grows to $643 million after no winners in Monday drawing
The Powerball lottery jackpot — the biggest of the year — is swelling after nobody won in Monday night's drawing. The jackpot is now $643 million, with the next drawing set for Wednesday night. Although no one took home the full prize, two Powerball players won $1 million each, according to Powerball. A single Powerball ticket costs $2. The rules of the game are as follows: Players choose five numbers from 1 to 69, and one number between 1 and 26, to be their "Powerball." To win the jackpot a player must match all six numbers on their ticket to the drawn six-number combination. The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 292 million, according to Powerball. But these chances don't stop Americans from spending roughly $103 billion on lottery tickets annually, according to data from Motley Fool. Powerball is played in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. Eastern time, with the results broadcast live from Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla., and streamed on The first Powerball drawing was in 1992.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
Our Communications Have A Credibility Problem
Jennifer Best is the head of marketing for AmICredible, the smart platform where credibility starts with you. If the potential for misinformation makes you not want to read anything online, you aren't alone. A 2024 Pew Research report noted that 40% of Americans who get their information online say inaccuracy is the aspect they dislike the most, a number that's increased nearly 31% over the past five years. For the better part of a decade, we're increasingly aware that misinformation and disinformation exist, yet few understand the difference. Misinformation, or the inadvertent spreading of false or misleading information, is typically when people don't realize they are sharing something false. Its more sinister counterpart is disinformation, when a blatant and coordinated attempt to confuse and mislead is malicious and intentional. These challenges are leading to an erosion of our trust in media and online news platforms. A 2023 study from the University of Southern California found that frequent, habitual users on Facebook forwarded six times more fake news than occasional or new users. Once false information spreads, it's much harder to control or limit. The Online Credibility Conundrum The internet thrives on sensationalism, not credibility. Online platforms prioritize content that gets a lot of engagement (clicks, shares and comments) regardless of how factually accurate it might be. After all, doing so is good for business; it keeps users engaged, stock prices climbing and board members happy. But it does little to stem the spread of misinformation, not to mention that it's not always easy to differentiate legitimate news from clickbait. You might be asking yourself, 'Is everything I read online false or misleading?' No, but based on the research, odds are that there is misinformation in your news and social feeds right now. Nearly 80% of Americans are concerned that the information they see online is fake, false or a deliberate attempt to confuse people. You're definitely not alone. While some may be quick to blame recent advancements with artificial intelligence (and there are plenty of challenges there to choose from), the reality is this: The Internet Age democratized the sharing of content, giving writers the opportunity to create and publish what they believe is an authoritative piece of content and maximize its visibility, regardless of factuality or truth. The internet leveled the playing field for online content creators. This is when the sharing of misinformation online began—not with the launch of social media or recent advancements with AI, although both of these have perpetuated the spread of misinformation. The problem has now become too large to ignore. Communications In The Era Of Misinformation As communications professionals, we know much of our professional value lies in our ability to be influential. Our corporate reputation becomes our personal brand, and it's how we present ourselves in public, speak to the media and make the case for investment when budgets are tight. When we speak publicly either for ourselves or our organizations, we need to do so with great authenticity, empathy and credibility. What we say demonstrates our values and contributes to the larger narrative. Getting it right can make a career; getting it wrong can send stock prices tumbling. Trust is the new currency of the workplace. It's won and lost, and you always have room for more. You can't be successful without it, especially in corporate communications. Changing The Narrative More professionals are taking notice of the importance of the quality of and credibility in communications. The Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs 2025 Survey Report reflects its increased importance. Whether you are speaking on behalf of an organization or for your personal brand, here's how to start changing the status quo and to bring trust back to the table. • If it seems too outrageous to be true, be skeptical. Question everything. Before sharing, check several reputable sources and use tools and platforms to help you identify potential blind spots and verify factuality and credibility. • Stop, look and listen. Stop and take a moment before you do anything. There is great power in the pause. Firing off one reactive and rushed comment on social media can sideline a career. Look closely at what you're posting and read it through before you even consider sharing. Even the majority of influencers don't verify what they share. Verify your claims and content with reputable sites. • If you spot misinformation, report it. Whether you choose to question or inform the person who posted it, or report misinformation to the online platform directly, you have an opportunity to help solve this challenge. The only way we bring trust and credibility back to our online conversations is by making small, incremental changes. Rather than ignoring the problem, we each need to become part of the solution. Nothing changes if nothing changes. The next time you read something that seems too good to be true, you know what to do. Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Gen Z has become lonely and antisocial. We have only ourselves to blame.
I'm not surprised that Gen Z has different drinking habits from other generations. I just wish we weren't so opposed to being social. Over the past several years, it has become apparent that Gen Z is pulling back from many of the social habits of previous generations. In part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in part because of other cultural forces, Gen Z is rapidly becoming a more reclusive generation, and one that socializes differently. But now, it is becoming clear that young people are going out less and staying in more, in part because we are less inclined to drink alcohol. The decision for Gen Z and all Americans to cut back on drinking isn't a bad thing, but young people need replacements for the social interactions that going to a bar or house party provides. We're becoming too isolated. Opinion: Gen Z's risk-averse behavior makes love elusive. Are we all going to die alone? Gen Z does consume less alcohol, but we're also far less social Americans are drinking less overall. While there are conflicting reports about Gen Z's unique habits, it is clear that we were ahead of the curve. While other age groups have seen declines in the number of people who say they drink over the past year, this decline has been consistent for those under 35 since the pandemic. I am one of those young people who forgoes drinking on a typical basis. I'll indulge here and there on special occasions, but I am far from a frequent drinker. Health reasons drive my decision-making, as they likely do for many sober-curious individuals out there. More Americans are realizing just how bad alcohol is for you, with Gen Z leading the charge. Opinion: Gen Z is a lonely generation that is drinking less. This could be bad. Still, I try to tag along with my friends even when they are drinking and I am not. Young people need to be more secure in their decision not to drink, rather than removing themselves from the situation altogether. Gen Z has to find ways to become more social Generation Z, born between 1997 to 2012, is dealing with loneliness and anti-dating epidemics. I don't think we need to drink more, but we have to stop pulling back socially. We're missing out on social settings, choosing instead to stay home. We all know the likely causes. The crosswinds of the pandemic, work-from-home culture and a pullback from the bar scene have turned us into homebodies. What we don't know are the solutions. But we have to find some. Young people need to become more involved in activities, whether that be community organizations or just doing something regularly with friends. Something has to fill the void that is left by our withdrawal from the bar and party scene. Something as simple as going out for a group dinner with friends, or doing something active with others, can go a long way. Believe me, I understand that the bar scene is unattractive to many of us, and that trying to cut back on alcohol is a virtuous decision, but something has to replace the positive social benefits that alcohol provides. We can't all be homebodies – otherwise, the loneliness problems that our generation faces are likely to worsen. Young people are approaching their social lives differently, but right now, it's hurting us. We all need to put in more effort in order to change that dynamic for the better. Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.
