Honor Flight – June 29 – Ray Fary
Chicago Chapter Life Member Ray Fary is participating in tomorrow’s Honor Flight (Wednesday, June 29), which will bring 95 WWII veterans to Washington DC to tour a number of veterans memorials. The “Welcome Home” celebration will take place at Chicago’s Midway Airport at approximately 20:55.
Ray would welcome friendly Airborne faces to greet him and the other 94 WWII veterans. Ray is a charter member of the Association and served with C Battery, 80th AA Bn (attached to 504th PIR) and participated in action in Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
All Chicago Chapter members and friends are invited to attend this exciting event and should meet in Baggage Claim 1 approximately 20:15. Email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions or to let us know if you plan to attend. Airborne!
Independence Day Parade, Niles IL, 4 July 11
The Chicago Chapter will once again march in the Independence Day parade in Niles, IL. This will be our 2nd year participating in this parade as an organization. All chapter members are invited to participate. Parade organizers have coordinated for a few Army Hummers to carry our less mobile members.
All participants are asked to muster in the parking lot at Notre Dame HS not later than 08:15. We will have coffee and donuts on hand. Dress however you like, with your favorite Airborne gear. Parade step-off is 09:00 and it will last approximately an hour. The end point is Grennan Heights Park (8255 Oketo St, Niles).
Following the parade, there will be a free lunch (hot dogs) for parade participants. Some additional details can be found at www.vniles.com/Content/templates/?a=1317. If you have any questions, please email info@chicagoairborne.com. Hope to see you all there!
Happy Flag Day, America!
Today — June 14 — is Flag Day in America. Fly ‘em proudly today (and every day!)
D-Day Anniversary
Today – 6 June – is the 67th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. The Chicago Chapter salutes the 13,000 American Airborne forces that jumped or glided into history that day, including our brave Normandy veterans within the Chicago Chapter. Airborne, All The Way!!
Memorial Day parade in Naperville
Our Chicago Chapter is planning to march in the 2011 Memorial Day parade in Naperville, IL on Monday, May 30. This will mark our 4th year marching in the Naperville parade, which is heavily attended by incredibly patriotic locals and always a terrific time. This year, the parade will feature more than 75 groups marching throughout scenic downtown Naperville. Our chapter will march in the 17th position behind our parade banner and chapter flags. All members and friends are invited to march with the chapter. Participants are encouraged to wear their Airborne gear – anything and as much as you like…there is no official dress code. Also, if you have a car/vehicle you’d like to drive in the parade (classic car, convertible, military vehicle), please let me know to coordinate. We would like to have one or more vehicles available for our mobility-challenged members.
Agenda:
08:30 to 10:30 – Marshaling at Centennial Beach parking lot, corner of Jackson Ave and West St. Donuts and coffee will be provided free of charge. Note: all vehicles must arrive by 09:45.
10:30 – Parade step off
12:00 – Memorial Day ceremony at Naperville’s Central Park (end point for the parade)
13:30 – Lunch for parade participants/families at Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 at 908 W. Jackson Ave, Naperville. Parade participants will be bused for free to the Post, which is just a couple of blocks West of Centennial Beach, the starting point of the parade. Enjoy burgers, dogs and other picnic style food – really good food.
Email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions.
Honor Flight “Welcome Home” – May 11
Chicago Chapter Life Member Chester Aszklar is scheduled to participate in the Chicago Honor Flight planned for May 11. Chester served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in WWII Veteran and is a former POW. He. The Honor Flight will take Chester to Washington DC for a tour the WWII Memorial and other attractions.
There will be a festive, patriotic “Welcome Home” celebration at Midway Airport on May 11 at approximately 20:40 in the vicinity of Baggage Claim 1. Chester and the group of 94 WWII vets will arrive on Southwest flight #443. Our Chicago Chapter will gather as a group to welcome Chester and the other vets with our flags and banners. All participants are encouraged to arrive an hour prior to the anticipated arrival of the flight.
Please email info@chicagoairborne.com with any questions or to RSVP.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are thankful for our past and current paratroopers for their contribution to the American way of life, and to the family and friends of paratroopers for their love and support. Airborne, All the Way!
Happy Veterans Day!
The Chicago Chapter salutes veterans past and present for their sacrifice and contribution to the American way of life. Airborne, All the Way! 
It’s National Airborne Day!
Today — August 16 — is National Airborne Day! Celebrate all things Airborne.
Independence Day Parade – Niles, IL
Join the Chicago Chapter march in the Independence Day Parade on July 4 in Niles, IL. Please arrive to the staging area at Notre Dame High School by 08:30. Parade step off will be 09:00 and the parade will last until around 10:30. We will have 1-2 vehicles to transport mobility-challenged members and friends. Everyone is encouraged to wear their Airborne and patriotic gear. We willl march behind our chapter colors and parade banner. For more information, please contact Vice Chairman Glenn Granat at glenngranat@yahoo.com or (630) 209-2834.
All details can be found on our Facebook event page at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129522433754406
Hope to see you there!
Mark Mueller, Chairman
