Fort Sheridan National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony Honors Fallen Heroes

On Sunday, May 24, the skies cleared for the 7th annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, located in Lake Forest. This event, organized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was more commemorative than celebratory. It gathered service members and their families to honor those who sacrificed their lives defending freedom.

Veteran Stan Banash of Norridge Park, who served in the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, and his wife Laura attended to pay tribute at the gravesite of Michael Banash. Michael was their family member and a career military man who fought in World War II and Korea.

The ceremony saw participation from various groups, including National Cemetery Administration staff, Libertyville VFW Post 8741, Bugles Across America, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Community Pageants, and National Women Veterans United.

“We struggle to find words to express our gratitude to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who died defending our way of life, a cause greater than themselves. May they find the sleep of heroes on this sacred ground,” said Kevin Griffiths, Master of Ceremonies and Program Specialist at the cemetery.

Rochelle Crump, Chief of African American Services at DCFS and president of National Women Veterans United, delivered the Memorial Day Address. Crump, who served in the Women’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War, reflected on the progress made in the military. She noted that significant work still remains, especially regarding ongoing sacrifices by service members.

Andy Barrie from Northwoods Wreaths LLC in Lake Forest contributed to the ceremony by producing Memorial Day Planters. With a group of volunteers, Barrie placed 82 planters, filled with red, white, and blue petunias and flags, at gravesites. The planters will be refreshed and moved to the Highwood/Highland Park VFW Post and Captain James A. Lovell Veterans Hospital after Monday afternoon.

Stan Banash shared his longstanding tradition of visiting Fort Sheridan on Memorial Day. He has commemorated his uncle’s service since 1968, emphasizing the importance of understanding military history to avoid repeating past errors. “Today we remember; without the sacrifice of those who served, we wouldn’t enjoy life in this country,” Banash remarked.