Annual Memorial Day Honors Veterans at Fort Sheridan

Clear skies graced the 7th annual Fort Sheridan National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday, May 24, in Lake Forest. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs organized the event to honor and remember the sacrifices of service members.

Veteran Stan Banash from the United States Air Force, along with his wife Laura, paid their respects at Michael Banash’s gravesite. Michael Banash had a career in the military, serving in World War II and Korea.

Participants included representatives from various organizations, such as Libertyville VFW Post 8741, Bugles Across America, and National Women Veterans United. Kevin Griffiths, Master of Ceremonies at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, expressed gratitude for those who gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves.

Rochelle Crump, President of National Women Veterans United, provided the Memorial Day Address. With experience in the Women’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War and years at the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs, Crump highlighted ongoing military sacrifices.

Andy Barrie from Northwoods Wreaths LLC contributed by donating Memorial Day Planters. He and volunteers placed the planters, featuring red, white, and blue petunias, at the gravesites on Saturday morning.

Local participants, including Jhanvi Venkatasalam, Junior Miss Lake Forest, and MU3 Bobby Novoa of the United States Navy, attended the ceremony. Barrie noted that planters would be moved to significant locations on Monday afternoon in memory of the fallen.

Stan Banash emphasized the importance of understanding military history to avoid repeating past mistakes. He has visited the cemetery annually since 1968 to honor his uncle’s military service. He stated that life in such a country is possible due to sacrifices made by service members.