Special. It is how we define days of importance and watershed times in our lives.
Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, is one of those special days. Veterans’ organizations had none of the three weekend celebration to include Veterans Day the second Monday in November. Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November and those adamant veterans knew that Veterans Day is the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when Armistice Day officially ended World War I.
Over the years Veterans Day has acquired added significance. There are a variety of reasons. Perhaps one is that we have a growing number of veterans who return from their patrols of many parts of the world.
In any case, the Neighborhood Activities, thevoice.us/neighborhood-activities-10-31-19, has some veterans’ events listed. Next week The Voice have a full array of veterans’ information. One of the biggest veterans events is the parade in Aurora sponsored by the city government’s special events.
Then there is the veterans dinner, noon to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at the Prisco Center, sponsored by the Fox Valley Park District.
Plano will have a special dinner at the American Legion Post 395 Monday, Nov. 11, and many communities will celebrate. The 11 a.m. service at the Riverside Cemetery on River Street, conducted by the Montgomery VFW Post 7452 is iconic. North Aurora’s celebration has expanded. Many communities will be in action Veterans Day.
The Batavia American Legion Post 504 will hold its annual Gifts for Yanks poppy days collection November 8-10, Friday through Sunday. All money collected will help purchase Christmas gifts for the veterans who live at three sites: Holmstad, Heritage Woods, and Batavia Rehab.
• Special are many nonprofit organizations. A panel of experts will meet and talk from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Avenue in St. Charles. Speakers will include Michelle Meyer, executive director Mutual Ground and Breaking Free; Joseph McMahon, Kane County State’s attorney; Lauren Jernigan and Neil McMenamin, both of Hesed House in Aurora; Ed Hunter, Amita Mercy Medical Center; Dawn McQuillan and Tasha Curry, Lazarus House. They help lead change.
• Special is a term that is fitting for the late Harvey Sterkel of Aurora. Sterkel belongs on more than the sports page for his legendary accomplishments to help lead the Sealmasters to both World Tournament and National Tournament championships in fastpitch. See the obituary at thevoice.us/famed-aurora-sealmaster-fastpitch-softball-pitcher-harvey-sterkel-passed-away-at-age-85. He worked for Sealmaster Bearings and then Aurora Bearing Company until he was past 80 years old. He led church choirs. He was a renaissance man.