26-05-2025
Meet Rockford's Honorary Grand Marshall for the 2025 Memorial Day Parade
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — 100-year-old and World War II Veteran Robert 'Bob' Brenner will serve as the Grand Marshall in Rockford's 2025 Memorial Day Parade.
Brenner served in the Navy during WWII from 1943-1946. He rode the USS MAZAMA, an ammunition ship in the South Pacific.
'I was a motor machinist mate third class,' Brenner said. 'I stayed third class because my opportunities to go on to more schooling was better as a third class than if I took another rate higher.'
Brenner said he left the service when his wife was giving birth to their child.
'I enjoyed the Navy,' Brenner said. 'The Navy was a good life. If I hadn't married and had a child, I probably would have stayed in the service.'
After the Navy, Brenner said he worked for Com-Ed for 39 years. As he reaches his 100th year of life, Brenner said he is excited to serve a new role as the Grand Marshall in Rockford's parade.
'Well, I'm kind of looking forward to it,' he said. 'I've never experienced anything like this.'
Brenner said he will serve this position next to his wife and biggest supporter, Judy Brenner.
'I'm just so honored to be his wife,' Judy said. 'I'm just very honored.'
Brenner said he is thinking of all of those who served before and after him this weekend, especially those who did not make it home.
'I don't know why me, I'm just an ordinary person,' Brenner said. '{I} did my job when I was in the service and that is about it. The people {that} didn't make it home, those are the people that we need to really honor.'
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