Fort Sheridan Memorial Day Ceremony Honors Fallen Service Members

On Sunday, May 24, the morning rain cleared to reveal a blue sky for the 7th annual Fort Sheridan National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony in Lake Forest. Organized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the event gathered service members and their families to honor those who served and lost their lives in defense of freedom. It was a solemn ceremony, more about remembrance than celebration.

Veteran Stan Banash, from the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, attended with his wife, Laura Banash. They honored the memory of Michael Banash, a family member who served in World War II and Korea. Several organizations participated alongside the National Cemetery Administration staff, such as the Libertyville VFW Post 8741, Bugles Across America, and National Women Veterans United.

Kevin Griffiths, the Master of Ceremonies and Program Specialist at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, expressed deep gratitude for those who died defending American values. Rochelle Crump delivered the Memorial Day Address. She is the Chief of African American Services at DCFS and president of National Women Veterans United. Crump, who served in the Women’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War, highlighted the ongoing sacrifices made by both men and women in the military.

Andy Barrie from Northwoods Wreaths LLC donated Memorial Day planters to the cemetery, coordinated with volunteers to arrange 82 planters of red, white, and blue petunias, along with flags, at the gravesites. Participants included Junior Miss Lake Forest Jhanvi Venkatasalam, MU3 Bobby Novoa of the United States Navy, Little Miss Lake Forest Olivia Fosselman, and Teen Miss Lake Forest Isabella Paulsen.

The planters will remain at the cemetery until Monday afternoon, after which they will be refreshed and taken to the Highwood/Highland Park VFW Post and a nursing home at Captain James A. Lovell Veterans Hospital. “This Memorial Day effort is a modest gesture to honor the lives of our fallen heroes,” Barrie stated.

Stan Banash mentioned that he has attended the Memorial Day ceremony every year since 1968, visiting the gravesite of his uncle, Michael Banash. He emphasized the importance of understanding military history to prevent repeating mistakes. “Today we remember,” Banash stated. “We wouldn’t have a life in this country without the sacrifices of those who served.”