PARADE INFORMATION
The Elm Grove Junior Guild Memorial Day Parade will be held Memorial Day at 10:30 am.
This year’s honored Grand Marshal and Honorary Veteran for the 78th Annual Memorial Day Parade, is Laurence “Larry” J. Sullivan.
Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1952, Larry graduated from St. Benedict High School (Class of 1970). Soon after high school, and facing the draft, he enlisted in the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, and MOS training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, where he served as Military Police(95D10). Larry served stateside at the Red River Army Depot in New Boston, Texas, and later at the Savanna Army Depot in Savanna, Illinois. He especially remembers his connection to work at Red River, where missiles were produced and used during the Vietnam War, as a defining part of his service. By 1976, Larry had achieved the rank of E-5 and completed his Army service, retiring that same year. He is a proud Elm Grove community member that raised his four daughters here and opened O’Sullivan’s on North Avenue. Larry has also a been part of American Legion Post 449 for the past 20 years.
This Memorial Day, we invite everyone to join us to thank Larry J. Sullivan for his
service and to celebrate all who have worn the USA uniform.
Parade Acts – Please refer to the Parade Participation Guide for guidelines and drop off details.
Spectators – In the interest of public safety, parade spectators shall refrain from obstructing or attempting to reserve any public right of way area (e.g. sidewalks, curb areas, medians) by placing chairs, blankets, tape, rope, tents, or any other item along the parade route before 6:00 AM the morning of the parade. Any items placed prior to this time may be removed. Thank you!
Weather – The parade has been cancelled only twice in its history due to weather. If in doubt, please listen to WLDB B93.3 for information on cancellation.
Please direct any additional questions to: memorialday@elmgrovejuniorguild.org
HISTORY
In 1947, a unit marched from the Legion to the flag at St. Mary’s for the first Memorial Day Flag Ceremony. The children from the area followed on their bikes. The following year, the Legion held another ceremony at the cemetery on Highland Drive, and again the children joined in on their bikes. The ceremony returned to St. Mary’s in 1949, and in 1950 the Legion decided to not only hold the parade, but offer festivities for the children. Though the Post has moved, the tradition that the American Legion began so many years ago continues today as a cornerstone event in our community.
