By Chris Gerke | Daily Herald
Communities across the suburbs will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with ceremonies and concerts. Here are some of the events planned in the suburbs in honor of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Elgin During World War II: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Gail Borden Public Library’s Meadows Community Rooms ABC, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Using period photos and newspaper clippings, historian Jerry Turnquist looks at how Elgin citizens and businesses were actively involved in the war effort. Register: gailborden.info.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Veterans Day Breakfast and Memorial Unveiling: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at York Community High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. After years of planning and fundraising, the school’s Military History Club is unveiling The Memorial to the Fallen, a tribute honoring York graduates who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The memorial will be accompanied by a dedicated website highlighting the lives and legacies of these individuals, including their time at York and their military service. The morning will begin with a brief memorial unveiling ceremony at 8:30 a.m. outside Baker Auditorium, followed by the breakfast in the school cafeteria. It is free for veterans, their families and friends. Use the main entrance. Parking may be limited. Reserved spaces near the main entrance will be available for veterans and their guests. The club thanks American Legion Post T.H.B. 187 and Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce for their support in making this project possible. elmhurst205.org
Sunday, Nov. 8
Veterans Day tribute: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Grafelman Park, 112 N. Fifth St., West Dundee. Hosted by Dundee Township Lions Club, the patriotic programs honor military service members. It will include displays of American flags by True Patriots Care, World War I and II re-enactments, emergency vehicle exhibitions, and performances by the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band and Echo Taps. Local historian Philip A. Aleo will speak at 12:30 p.m. about the day’s significance and the importance of honoring veterans and the American flag. The Lions will be offering free vision and hearing screenings for all ages from 1-4 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. dundeelions.org.
Dinner for Veterans: 2-4 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. Veterans and their family and friends are invited to a free dinner with Italian beef sandwiches, chicken fingers, mostaccioli, salad and green bean casserole catered by Karas Restaurant Group, with homemade desserts. To-go meals can be picked up at 3 or 3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot at 847-428-4477 or eventbrite.com.
“The Dragon From Chicago: An American Reporter in Nazi Germany”: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Historian Pamela Toler uncovers the life of trailblazing Chicago Tribune Berlin bureau chief Sigrid Schultz, who reported and warned about the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime. Presented in partnership with the Barrington Cultural Commission and the Barrington Writers Workshop. $28.52 or free for 18 and younger with a paid adult. Register: barringtonswhitehouse.com.
Monday, Nov. 9
Field of Honor: Nov. 9-13 at Jewett Park, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield. A panorama of 500 U.S. flags will be displayed with the theme “Honoring Our Veterans.” Hosted by the village of Deerfield. Proceeds benefit Midwest Veterans Closet and Lake County Honor Flight. healingfield.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Mount Prospect Veterans Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the RecPlex, 420 Dempster St., Mount Prospect. Join VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 to commemorate veterans. Keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Soto, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County. In addition to the annual ceremony, the veterans will be making school visits to educate children on patriotism. vfw1337.com.
South Elgin Veterans Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Public Safety Center, 50 N. Water St., South Elgin. southelgin.com.
Hoffman Estates Veterans Day ceremony: 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial site at the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 411 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Light refreshments will be served at the police department after the ceremony. Free. hoffmanestates.org
Schaumburg Veterans Day Ceremony: 10:45 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Gateway Park, Roselle and Schaumburg roads, Schaumburg. Schaumburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2202 hosts the annual ceremony to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Schaumburg police and fire departments will perform the honor guard while flanked by the Schaumburg VFW Post 2202 Rifle Squad. villageofschaumburg.com.
Dan Honea of the Barrington Fire Department Honor Guard carries the American flag during the posting of the colors at the 2025 Barrington Veterans Day ceremony. | Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald
Barrington Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial, Park Avenue and Cook Street, Barrington. Join local veterans and dignitaries to honor Veterans Day. Refreshments will be served. Free. barrington-il.gov.
Carpentersville’s Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. cville.org
Des Plaines Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Hosted by the Des Plaines American Legion Post 36 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 311. Light refreshments will be served after. facebook.com/DesPlainesAmericanLegionPost36.
Richard Hamilton salutes as the national anthem is sung during the 2025 Veterans Day ceremony in Elgin. | Rick West/Daily Herald
Elgin Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Centre of Elgin’s Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. The city and American Legion Post 57 honor our nation’s veterans. Seating will be provided. Parking is available in the parking deck on the southwest corner of Symphony Way and Grove Avenue. elginil.gov.
Palatine American Legion Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. After the ceremony, a light lunch will be served. alpost690.us.
Streamwood Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Honor the men and women who have served in times of peace and war. The event will feature a performance by the Celebration Brass Quintet. streamwood.org.
Children from an after-school program made cards for veterans that were displayed during the 2023 Buffalo Grove Veterans Day ceremony. | Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald
Buffalo Grove Veterans Day Celebration: 12:15-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Free Culver’s lunch from 12:15-1 p.m. then the Saddle Shoe Sisters will pay tribute to veterans with classics such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful” and other patriotic favorites. Presented in partnership with the Indian Trails Public Library and Vernon Area Public Library. Free; registration required. bgparks.org/veterans-day-celebration. For questions, contact Elizabeth Quinzio at 847-850-2196 or elizabeth@bgparks.org.
Thanks for the Memories A USO Tribute: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. A USO-style celebration by six vocalists and a five-piece band honoring the entertainers who performed for the troops during wartime. $35. tickets.eccartscenter.org
Hanover Park Veterans Day observance: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Village Board Room 214, 2121 W. Lake St., Hanover Park. The Hanover Park Veterans Committee hosts an event to salute and honor veterans. Free. hanoverparkillinois.org.
Sunday, Nov. 15
“World War II Radio Hour”: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in the St. Charles Public Library’s Carnegie Room, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. Featuring Matt and Cynthia Gruel and a special guest performer bringing the spirit of the 1940s to life. Free. scpld.org.
Rockin’ for Heroes: A Veterans Day Tribute Featuring 7th heaven & Friends: 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. A Veterans Day tribute featuring performances by 7th heaven, Tony Ocean and The Main Event Band. Special tribute performance by The Bombshell Beauties and Military Brass. Proceeds benefit Friends of Fisher House of Illinois. $34.72-$89.72. joesliverosemont.com
Find many more ceremonies here.