Gov. Pat Quinn joined hundreds of other parade-goers in Park Ridge’s annual Memorial Day Monday.
World War II veteran 90-year-old Chuck Larson of Park Ridge served as grand marshal of the parade, which kicked off at South Park near Talcott and Cumberland Avenues and followed a one-mile route to City Hall.
For the Kiwanis Club of Park Ridge, the Memorial Day parade has become an ongoing annual celebration since the group first walked in the event in the early 1980s.
The mood was celebratory as Kiwanis Club president Bill Scharringhausen helped other club members pack up a white convertible with mini American flags before the parade kicked-off.
“Everyone is here for the same reason today — because they recognize what this day means to our country,” Scharringhausen said. “It’s a community-wide tradition to honor and celebrate our fallen servicemen and women.”
A group of women dressed in patriotic attire proudly represented the 21st Star Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, a local group that celebrates the historical and educational aspects of patriotism.
Sheila Weber-Aszling was one of a group of eight women from Daughters of the American Revolution to walk in the parade.
“It’s a special thing to be able to honor veterans from all the past wars in America’s history,” Weber-Aszling said.
The Park Ridge Indian Scouts — another group proudly representing the community in the parade — had an extra reason to celebrate Monday after the Scouts raised enough money to send a young boy being treated for kidney problems on a surprise vacation with his family.
Before the parade started, the Park Ridge Indian Scouts presented the family of 3-year-old Patrick Currie with a $3,000 trip to Disney World.
Each year the Scouts’ annual holiday tree sale raises money for local charities. The 2013 event raised more than $22,000 that was donated to a handful of local charities, including the Chicago-based “A Special Wish” foundation, which helped grant Patrick Currie’s wish to see Mickey Mouse.
Patrick’s parents, James and Courtney Currie, have spent much of their time at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital while Patrick undergoes surgeries for ongoing kidney problems.
Courtney Currie said Patrick’s favorite thing is Mickey Mouse, and that the family felt both humbled and excited to be chosen for the trip.
“Our surgeons have been telling us we need to get away and go somewhere with the family, so we feel incredibly blessed,” Courtney Currie said.
After the Chicago family was given their week-long trip, Patrick and his 6-year-old brother William rode in the parade in first-class style via a special golf cart float provided by the Indian Scouts.
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