Community groups are expected to participate in this year’s Memorial Day Parade, organized by the Beverly Area Planning Association and the office of 19th Ward Alderman Ginger Rugai. The parade follows the 31st annual Ridge Run, Monday, May 26, stepping off at about 10:30 a.m. from 110th and Longwood Drive and proceeding north to Ridge Park, 97th and Longwood Drive. Memorial Day activities following the parade at Ridge Park include a Color Guard ceremony remembering men and women of the United States armed forces, both past and present.
The Memorial Day Parade grand marshal, Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Brian Schiller, is the son of Richard and the late Anne Bickett Schiller of Beverly/Morgan Park. When Schiller first enlisted in 1991, his mother spearheaded the yellow ribbon campaign in the neighborhood, engaging hundreds of neighbors in a tradition of tying ribbons around trees as a reminder of the men and women who are fighting for our country. Anne Schiller also worked to have the monument installed near the flagpole at Ridge Park, a year-round honor to the men and women in the US Armed Forces placed where the our local Memorial Day flag raising and service is held each year.
“Seventeen years later, I have the honor to be grand marshal of the parade,” Schiller said. “I’m sure Mom will be looking down with a big smile on her face. I’m honored to be able to remember the men and women who have gone before us and given the ultimate sacrifice so we can come together and celebrate our freedom and appreciate what we have.”
Even though Schiller has been decorated with the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, he said, “It’s humbling to follow in the footsteps of the decorated heroes and medal of honor recipients who have been grand marshals of this parade.”
Schiller enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1990 and trained in San Diego. Later that year he was ordered to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1993. Following that he became a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve in Waukegan.
Then in 1998 Schiller reenlisted and received active duty orders to Recruiting Station Chicago, IL. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2001 and served at various recruiting stations until 2005 when he volunteered for duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During nearly a year’s service in Iraq, Schiller was released from active duty.
He deployed to Iraq again in early 2006 until the end of that year when he was discharged from active duty. He is presently assigned as Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in charge, Patient Affairs Team, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio Texas.
Families and friends of men and women serving in the US Armed Forces are welcome to show their support of the troops by marching behind the grand marshal. Schools, civic associations, social groups, businesses, organizations and others are all welcome to march.
Applications for participation in the parade are available at BAPA, 11107 S, Longwood Dr. and the 19th Ward office, 10400 S. Western, during business hours. The application fee is $15 for not for profit groups and $25 for businesses. For more information, call BAPA, 773-233-3100.
