Huntley Leaders, Community Members Share Reason for Celebrating Memorial Day

More than 300 gathered to watch the Memorial Day Parade and presentation
Monday, along Main Street and at Huntley Town Square. Members of the Huntley
High School Band played the National Anthem, and American Legion members formed a rifle squad in observance of Memorial Day, as sunshine and temperatures in the mid 80s replaced the previous day’s rain storms.

Carole Molitor and her husband Chuck, who reside at Sun City Huntley, attended the parade, in which Chuck walked with the Sun City Marines club. The group has 39 members, and Chuck Molitor is Commandant. The group takes part in an annual Toys for Tots program, celebration of the Marines official birthday, and spend time with new Marine recruits.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1947 to 1957 and oversaw the continuous wave equipment used to help pilots navigate back to their base after their missions, he said.

Four U.S. Marine recruits, Brennen Jacobs, Gaston Le, Dan Muren and Jacob Hiither, from Huntley High School walked in the parade as well.

Jacobs said he always knew a military career was in his plan, because his father Gary and grandfather Edward both served.

“I think I bring an open mind to the service,” he said. “I am ready to learn about leadership.”

Herb Glissendorf, a 40-year member of the American Legion Post 673, said the Memorial Day parade has grown to replace the Independence Day parade, because many people travel for July 4.

Village of Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass remarked on the parade’s growth.

“I attended the Memorial Day parade 35 years ago it took all of two minutes,” he said. “Today it took more than an hour.”

He also said he honors military men and women.

“More than 6,000 of our troops have given their lives in these last two conflicts…We express our appreciation for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Allen Belcher, director of services for transitional housing services for veterans with brain injuries and multiple amputations, said he recognizes the longing veterans have to be united with their fallen comrades, upon death. He also said minutemen were common people who never anticipated becoming soldiers, yet “they risked their lives and everything they owned to fight for liberties spelled out in our Bill of Rights.”

He said just one percent of the population today is serving the current war on terrorism.