Amid headstones at West Aurora Cemetery Sunday, May 25, an annual Memorial Day eve observance celebrated past and present members of the armed services.
The annual ceremony is sponsored by Phillip H. Sheridan Camp No. 2, Illinois Son of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). Michael Zafran, Department of Illinois commander, emceed the 45-minute program.
Zafran led the pledge of allegiance after group singing of the national anthem led by Joellyn Caufield. Jerome Kowalski, SUVCW national chaplain emeritus, gave the invocation. Guest speakers were Stephanie Shelton, education director, Aurora Grand Army of the Republic hall and museum; Brian Conroy, SUVCW camp commander; Linda Poole, chaplain, Bartelson chapter, National Society Daughters of the Union; Susan Ollis, treasurer, Daughters of the Union; Aurora aldermen Michael Saville, Johnathen Nunez and Javier Banuelos; and Anna Quinzio-Zafran, SUVCW Auxiliary 2.
Zafran and Caulfield led group singing of “God Bless America” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Four reenactors portraying Civil War widows placed memorial flowers on the grave of Aurora’s last surviving Civil War veteran, Daniel Wedge.
Chaplain Kowalski gave a benediction. After cannoneers of Glenview-based Mulligan’s Battery fired three cannon salutes, bugler Rich Stanczak of Sheridan Camp No. 2 played “Taps” to close the observance.
Adults and youth from Aurora Cub Scout Pack 358 cleaned up the cemetery grounds to prepare for the event. Additionally, a new U.S. flag was installed on the facility pole.
Dating to 1834, the cemetery is Aurora’s oldest. Located at 600 Wilder St., it is operated by Friends of the Cemetery, a nonprofit.
—Al Benson