{"id":460778,"date":"2025-05-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=460778"},"modified":"2025-05-28T16:06:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T16:06:14","slug":"chicagoland-soldiers-and-veterans-honor-the-fallen-during-local-memorial-day-parade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=460778","title":{"rendered":"Chicagoland Soldiers and veterans honor the fallen during local Memorial Day parade"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Chicagoland
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis Koski, left, formerly assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, waves in a jeep during the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony, May 26, 2025. Koski served nearly 39 years on active and Army Reserve duty. Capt. Michael Ariola,right, serves as a public affairs officer at the 85th USARSC and previously served as an Armor officer.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. David Lietz)
\n (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. David Lietz)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \"Chicagoland
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Retired Maj. Gen. James. H. Mukoyama delivered the keynote speech at the annual Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony. During his active-duty service, he served as a platoon leader in the Republic of Korea and served as an infantry company commander with the 9th Division in Vietnam. Additionally, Mukoyama held a variety of positions during 18 years of Army Reserve service at the 85th USARSC. He earned the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, three Bronze stars, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman\u2019s Badge.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army Reserve Photo by Staff Sgt. David Lietz)
\n (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. David Lietz)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \"Chicagoland
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Local residents, veterans and service members gather at the eternal Flame at Memorial Park following the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Arlington Heights, Illinois, May 26, 2025. U.S. Navy sailors from the staff unit for Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois also participated in the ceremony.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. David Lietz)
\n (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. David Lietz)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Arlington Heights, Ill. – Flashing lights of police cars and fire trucks, the steady drum beat of marching units and distinguished guests, like retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis Koski, formerly assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, participated in the 106th annual Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony, May 26, 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat better way to come out of retirement and participate in the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and honor the history of the parade and this community in how it supports the military,\u201d said Koski, who served 38 and a half years on active and Army Reserve duty.<\/p>\n

An estimated 4000 spectators lined the parade route for the annual Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony, according to Herb Ruterschmidt with Community Emergency Response Team of Arlington Heights.<\/p>\n

One of the highlights of this year\u2019s parade is the recent discovery of citizens, formerly unknown, who were killed during the Civil War.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year is special because a young man from our town, Brian Maloney, on his own, researched nine additional young men from our town who were killed during the Civil War,\u201d said Greg Padovani, Chairman of the Veteran\u2019s Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights. \u201cHe discovered they had been lost to history for over 160 years. Today we are bringing them back to our community and honoring their sacrifice for our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Capt. Michael Ariola, currently assigned to the 85th USARSC Public Affairs Office, has participated in four Arlington Heights Memorial Day parades.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a distinct honor to represent the United States Army Reserve in the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony. This event stands as a solemn tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation,\u201d said Ariola. \u201cEach year I participate. I am privileged to engage with Veterans, Gold Star Families and members of the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ariola also praised the Village of Arlington Heights for their dedication and efforts to organize a meaningful and respectful ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir commitment ensures the memory of our fallen heroes is preserved and honored with the dignity they deserve,\u201d said Ariola.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s parade featured retired Maj. Gen. James H. Mukoyama who served as Grand Marshall and keynote speaker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI served 18 years at the 85th USARSC in a variety of positions. At one point, the 85th (USARSC) was an infantry training division. I go back a long way with the 85th,\u201d said Mukoyama.<\/p>\n

During more than 30 years of service in the Army and Army Reserve, he earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, three Bronze stars, Purple heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and jump wings.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had two combat tours. One on the demilitarized zone in the Republic of Korea and I was a company commander in Vietnam,\u201d said Mukoyama.<\/p>\n

Becky Austin traveled from Indianapolis, Indiana to attend the parade with her grandson and husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so grateful for the ultimate sacrifices made by so many. We have a family friend who is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel. We understand the sacrifices made by our military and first responders,\u201d said Austin.<\/p>\n

The meaning of Memorial Day is especially significant for retired Lt. Col. Arturo Macaltao, who served with the 82nd Airborne Division and earned a purple heart serving with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam during a 28-year active-duty Army career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI served in Santo Domingo, and I was a sergeant in Vietnam. It\u2019s not only on Memorial Day but daily that I have memories of the two soldiers who were killed trying to save me after I was wounded near Bon Son,\u201d said Macaltao, who tearfully recalled the efforts of a fellow soldier who came to his assistance. \u201cSgt. 1st Class Osuna was killed trying to reach me and get me into a rice paddy to safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s soldiers, like Sgt 1st Class Osuna that citizens and military personnel remember.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a somber day. The reason we are here is because it\u2019s Memorial Day. A day of remembrance,\u201d said Arlington Heights Mayor James Tinaglia. \u201cToday is a solemn occasion to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives in defense of the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 Retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis Koski, left, formerly assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, waves in a jeep during the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade and ceremony, May 26, 2025. Koski served nearly 39 years on active and Army Reserve duty. Capt. Michael Ariola,right, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":528,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-460778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=460778"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":460779,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460778\/revisions\/460779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=460778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=460778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=460778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}