Chicago's Memorial Day Reef Lane Ceremony. I'm Kevin Barses, Director for the Mayor's Office
of Veteran Affairs, and it is an honor to be with you all here today. Now it is my great pleasure
to introduce today's MC, Retired Master Sergeant of the United States Army, Adam Shaw.
Thank you, Kevin, and good morning. As we begin today's program, I would like to thank the 484th
Army Band for their performance. On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson, I'm honored to be here
with you for this morning's Memorial Day commemoration. Today we remember, reflect, and honor
those who have selflessly and heroically given this country their all. We also pay tribute to
those who continue to risk their lives in the cause of freedom and whose courage protects and
inspires all Americans. To begin the program, may I ask everyone to rise as
the JROTC Joint Service Color Guard presents the colors. Please remain
standing for the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.
State's Air Force veteran Morgan Renee Williams for the singing of our National Anthem.
Oh say can you see the dawn's early light
What so proud at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
All us fight on the red
Were so gallantly streaming
To recite the Pledge of Allegiance, please welcome Chicago Public Schools J.R.O.T.C. Cadet Gianna Vega from Bogan High School.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
please be seated i would now like to invite chaplain major jeffrey nelson 35th division
systemic brigade up to the stage let us pray almighty god we just want to gather today to
honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation
as we lay this wreath may it stand as a symbol of our deep gratitude and enduring respect we lift
up all the gold star families of the fallen whose sorrow we just cannot fully know but whose
sacrifice we deeply honor may this ceremony renew in us a spirit of unity sacrifice and hope bless
this ceremony those gathered here and a sacred memory of the heroes we honor today in your
precious name we pray amen thank you chaplain at this time i'd like to acknowledge our special
guest seated on stage whom we are honored to have with us today the honorable brandon johnson
Mayor, City of Chicago. Alderman of the 34th Ward, Bill Conway, United States Navy. Alderman,
Gilbert Villegas, United States Marine Corps. Kenya Merritt, Commissioner, Department of Cultural
Affairs and Special Events. Kevin Barces, Director, Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Tyese
Davis, CPS Executive Director of JROTC. Terry Prince, Director, Illinois Department of Veterans
Affairs, Vanessa Walters, Director, Cook County Veterans Affairs, Major Jeffrey Nelson, Chaplain,
United States Army, Joseph O'Connor, Merchant Marines, Jean Harris, Northern Illinois Survivor
Outreach Services, Jory Phillips, Lions Township High School, and Anna Valencia, City Clerk of
Chicago. As I announce the following individuals, I would like to ask members of the audience to
also stand if you have served or are currently serving in that branch of service. Representing
the American Merchant Marines, Joseph O'Connor, retired Merchant Mariner. Rise if you have served
in the United States Coast Guard. Please rise if you have served in the United States Space Force.
Representing the United States Air Force, Morgan Renee Williams.
Representing the United States Navy, Lieutenant Commander Kelly H. Zabaki.
Representing the United States Marine Corps, the 2026 Grand Marshal for the City of Chicago,
Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval.
Representing the United States Army, Major Karen Hernandez.
And representing the POW MIA.
The chair represents the spirit of all who have served and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States who cannot be with us today.
We are compelled never to forget that while we go about our daily pleasures,
there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation, and internment.
Thank you all for your service.
At this time, I would like to thank the 484th Army Band for their performance as they depart to head to the parade.
Now it is my great pleasure to introduce the next portion of our program, honoring our JROTC Cadets of the Year.
The Cadets of the Year will each receive a $250 award generously provided by the Chicago Police Marines, a group of veterans and first responders.
This year, we are recognizing four cadets.
The mission of the JROTC is to motivate young people to become better citizens.
Chicago has the largest JROTC program in the nation,
with 43 active programs in middle school, high school, and public military academies across the city.
I would like to invite Mayor Brandon Johnson and Sergeant Major Sandoval
to join me as we acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our cadets to their community.
Our first cadet is Gabino Noriega, Lane Tech College Craft.
During his four years in JROTC, Cadet Noriega has always
He's provided exceptional dedication and leadership to not only the Warrior
Battalion but Lane Tech College Prep and his community. Cadet Noriega has
excelled as the Color Guard Commander, a member of both the Drumline and Raider
Challenge teams all four years. Cadet Noriega is the recipient of the Quest
Bridge Academic Scholarship and he will be attending Northeastern University in
Boston, Massachusetts in the fall. Our second cadet is William Foley, Marine
Leadership Academy. William Foley is currently the battalion commander for
the Marine Leadership Academy. Throughout his time at MLA, he has held several
leadership positions from platoon sergeant to class leader, company gunnery
sergeant to cadet colonel, which is the highest rank at Marine Leadership
Academy. Cadet Foley served as the captain of the drill team, drone team, the
recruiting team, and he is a voting member of the Board of Governors. Upon
graduation, Cadet Foley will join the United States Marine Corps. Our third
cadet is Leanna McClendon, Morgan Park High School. Cadet McClendon will attend
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study material science while
participating in ROTC, continuing her commitment to leadership, service, and
academic achievement. Cadet McClendon has been awarded the Hope Chicago
Scholarship, College Possible Scholarship, the UIUCROTC Illinois State Tuition Waiver,
the Admiral Lisa Franchetti ROTC Scholarship, and the Leadership Scholarship for the Morgan Park
Alumni Association. Our fourth cadet is Miles Gonzalez, Phoenix Military Academy. Miles Gonzalez
is from Brighton Park and served as the Operations Officer for the Phoenix Military Academy JROTC
program as well as captain of the school's academic team cadet gonzalez is also this year's
class valedictorian cadet gonzalez will be attending the university of illinois urbana
champagne and double majoring in accounting and business management congratulations to all our
cadets of the year please give a hand to our outstanding jrotc cadets and now it is my honor
to introduce Terry Prince, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Terry Prince, a 31-year Navy veteran, was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
in April 2021. He led a team of 1,300 professionals who provided services to more than 550,000 veterans
and their families across Illinois.
Director Prince began his military career in 1986 and served at 14 duty stations globally.
His career centered around health care and advanced to the role of Command Master Chief at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
He was handpicked as the first senior enlisted advisor at the Defense Health Agency in Falls Church, Virginia,
and concluded his 31-year career in 2017 as the 13th director of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps and Force Master Chief of Navy Medicine.
Good morning, everybody. I bring greetings from Governor J.B. Pritzker and the now 1,500 employees of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
As we move into Memorial Day weekend, I'm inspired by events like this in Chicago and places around the world
that honor brave servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom.
Communities large and small, backyard barbecues and parades and cemeteries are all paying tribute to our nation's heroes and their families.
For many, Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the tragic loss of a loved one.
And to those dedicated shipmates, airmen, Marines, battle buddies, and certainly our Gold Star families who forever carry an unimaginable burden of grief, know that this entire nation is with you.
And we will always stop and render honors appropriately, not just on Memorial Day, but every single day of the year.
During these times I looked to wisdom from President Obama and others
And it was President Obama who said in his Memorial Day message
Our nation owes a debt to its followers
fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. We owe them so much and their memories will
never be forgotten. In Illinois, we show our thanks for the sacrifice of the work,
or their sacrifice, by the work that we do to help Illinois veterans and their families.
Right here where you sit, we are literally surrounded by organizations that help veterans
and their families. To my left in the Cook County building, you'll find the Illinois Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission with
Veterans Service Officers and Emergency Services. Behind you inside City Hall
you'll find the Cook County Veterans Assistance Office and the City of
Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs and the City Clerk's Office who are all
providing services and support to veterans. And finally just three miles
down to my right is the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. All told, literally thousands of people
whose calling is to serve those who served. Take advantage of these resources so that you can truly
thrive in Illinois. In closing, it's often said that the best way to honor our fallen heroes
is to live our best possible lives, a life worthy of their sacrifice. We owe it to them
and ourselves to do just that and Mr. Mayor I'm going to take advantage of this line but thank
you sir for the opportunity to speak and for what you do to make Chicago the best city in the world
God bless you and thank you and now it is my distinct pleasure to introduce the mayor of the
city of Chicago Brandon Johnson thank you so much and good morning everyone on behalf of the city of
Chicago, I'm honored to commemorate Memorial Day with all of you. In a city as vibrant and as
diverse as Chicago, it is important that we reflect on the freedom that we enjoy each day
and recognize that it was secured and protected by generations of American service members
who answered the remarkable call to serve. The men and women we remember today demonstrated
unfathomable bravery, selflessness, and resilience, but they did it out of a deep, profound love
and devotion to our nation and to our communities.
And though we can never fully repay the debt of gratitude that we owe to them, we can honor
their sacrifice by carrying on their legacy and doing it together.
I do want to acknowledge the service members that are here today who carry on our hero's
legacy of service.
First, the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs Director, Mr. Kevin Barses, who leads the
city's government and its commitment to our veterans, ensuring that we do not just thank
them, but we remember our service members by serving them in return.
And under his leadership, the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and the City of Chicago's
Advisory Council on Veteran Affairs continues to work together to improve the day-to-day
experiences of Chicago's 77,000 veterans and their families. They provide
opportunities to engage and celebrate our veteran community, uplift and support
veteran-owned businesses, and ensure that veterans can navigate resources for
housing, mental health, employment, and so much more. Thank you, Director Barses, and
thank you to everyone in Chicago's city government who uplifts and remembers
Chicago service members and veterans. Thank you to our clerk Anna Valencia for being here and all of
the alders that are joining us today. I see David Moore, Raymond Lopez and Gilbert Villegas. Could
you please stand and be recognized and please give them a round of applause. And of course Bill
Conway. Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't recognize him in his uniform. He looks so extra spiffy today.
But next, I want to acknowledge the Chicago Public School JROTC members who are being
honored and who have been honored, these Cadets of the Year.
Cabino Noriega from Lane Tech, William Foley from Marine Leadership Academy, Leanna McClendon
from Morgan Park, and Miles Gonzalez from Phoenix Military Academy.
Let's give each and every one of them another round of applause.
Now, I'm deeply proud to see Chicago's next generation of leaders embody the values of
service. Thank you all for being an inspiration to your peers, families and
communities and for your commitment to building a better future.
I'm also proud to recognize this year's Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award recipient,
Major Karen Hernandez of the United States Army and co-chair of the Mayor's Office Advisory
Council on Veterans Affairs. Major Hernandez was born and raised in Chicago's Little Village
neighborhood and embodies the spirit of our city in her service. In her nearly 20-year-long
military career. She was part of a humanitarian mission in Guatemala. She led medical operations
as a field hospital commander throughout Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. And she served
here at home during the COVID-19 pandemic as deputy commander for the Illinois COVID Task Force
testing mission. And furthermore, she is a leading voice for women in military service
and leadership positions. I can think of no Chicagoan better deserving of this
year's Patriot Award. Thank you again, Major Hernandez. Now before I introduce
our 2026 Grand Marshal and keynote speaker, I want to take a moment to
acknowledge the courage and strength of our Gold Star families. Today as we
uplift the sacrifices of our military members, we honor your sacrifices as well
and we pray for you as you continue to heal, as you continue to demonstrate resilience.
Thank you for preserving the memory of your loved ones and carrying on their legacy.
I pray that as a city, we continue to do more than just remember our fallen heroes.
I pray that we build a nation worthy of their service and sacrifice.
And like them, let us be courageous, resilient, and determined to uphold our principles of democracy.
Let us work together to do everything that we can here at home to ensure that our communities
can remain vibrant, diverse, and free. Now, it is my privilege and honor to introduce
our keynote speaker and 2026 Grand Marshal, a distinguished leader, a leader who upholds the
legacy of our fallen heroes, Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval of the United States Marine Corps.
Sergeant Major Sandoval is a Chicago native and a proud graduate of Lane
Tech High School. Proudly demonstrating Chicago's spirit of resilience and
bravery, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduating high
school and has held a military career spanning more than 20 years. Her first
deployment was in Iraq in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and upon redeployment
she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She continued to rise to the
ranks with distinction across various roles and battalions, and she continued to serve
and defend the principles of freedom at home and abroad in Afghanistan, Okinawa, Japan,
and right here in our beloved city, Chicago.
And throughout her career, she has proven to be a strong, capable leader
who was steadfastly committed to our nation and to our people.
And so on behalf of the city of Chicago, we truly thank her for her service.
Chicago and those who are visiting from around the country and around the world,
please give a warm welcome to our Memorial Day Grand Marshal, Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval.
Good morning.
Good morning.
First, I would like to thank the Director of Veteran Affairs, Kevin Barses, and Mayor Brandon Johnson for the opportunity to speak here today.
There are many debates surrounding the origins and official creation of Memorial Day, and it's a fascinating part of our nation's history.
And I encourage anyone interested to take the time to learn more about it.
But one thing we know for certain is that our country was built on sacrifice.
It was built on the sacrifice of brave men and women who answered a call to serve, some through the draft and others by volunteering to defend this nation and the freedoms we enjoy today.
Their sacrifice was not theirs alone. It was also carried by their families, by mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters who endure days, months and even years apart.
Some still wait for answers and some still carry the weight of lost generations later.
These service members stepped into the unknown of duty,
courage and love for their country and those waiting for them back home.
Many gave what President Lincoln once called the last full measure of devotion
so that others could live in freedom and peace.
It is both an honor and a privilege to stand here today and recognize and remember those
who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For me, this remembrance is personal.
I understand the meaning of sacrifice because I have shared it myself.
This experience is why I am proud to represent the United States Marine Corps recruiting
station chicago and equally proud to stand along my fellow recruiting counterparts here in chicago
every day these young men and women not only serve as recruiters but as mentors leaders
and role models within our communities they help guide prepare challenge the next generation of
americans and those young men and women who choose to serve something greater than themselves today
When a young person raises their hand, their right hand, and commits to the military service,
they're accepting responsibility, discipline, sacrifice, and honor.
Their decision strengthens our nation, protects our freedoms, and reminds us
that the spirit of service is still alive in America today.
As we reflect on the sacrifices made during the Civil War, World War I, World War II,
Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, let us
never forget the cost of our freedoms we enjoy. And let us honor not only how
these heroes died but how they lived with courage, selflessness, and devotion to
others. I will close with this. For the honor of the fallen and the glory of
those remembered, may we never forget their sacrifice. Thank you and God bless
us all. Thank you, Sergeant Major. Next is my pleasure to honor this year's recipient of the
Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award. Major General Logan helped bring national attention to
the observance of Memorial Day and played a key role in establishing this day of remembrance.
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30th, 1868. Each year, the city of Chicago presents
the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award to an individual whose patriotism, leadership,
and selfless devotion to the men and women of America's armed forces in the city of Chicago
go above and beyond their duties.
I would like to ask Mayor Johnson and Sergeant Major Janet Sandoval
to join me in presenting the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award to Major Karen Hernandez.
Major Karen Hernandez is a Chicago native, raised in the Little Village neighborhood,
and currently serves as a medical services officer in the 34th Division of Sustainment Brigade, Chicago, Illinois.
Alongside her military service, she has served as the executive director of Chicago Veterans since 2017,
leading one of the region's grassroots veteran-serving organization.
As one of the few female executive directors in a traditionally male-dominated space,
Hernandez has become a respected voice for veterans, women in leadership, and minority representation in both military and non-profit sectors.
In 2008, Hernandez enlisted in the United States Army and later commissioned in 2011 as a medical services intelligence plans and operations officer.
During 2022 to 2023, she deployed as a field hospital commander, overseeing medical support operations and deploying five medical support teams throughout Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
Major Hernandez continues to dedicate her life to strengthening communities, creating pathways for those that follow her, developing future leaders, and advocating for those who have served.
We are here today to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending
our country.
I would like to invite Jean Harris, Northern Illinois Survivor Outreach Services Support
Coordinator and Gold Star Mother to Sergeant Joshua Harris, Illinois Army National Guard,
Killed in action on September 17th, 2008, for some remarks.
Good afternoon.
As you know, I'm Jean Harris.
I'm a Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator,
an official Army program dedicated to providing long-term support
to families of fallen soldiers.
I'm also the proud Gold Star mother to Sergeant Joshua Harris.
Thank you all for gathering here today to honor our country's fallen heroes.
A heartfelt thank you to my fellow Gold Star families,
those who carry the memory of their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Memorial Day is not simply a date on the calendar
that to some can mark the beginning of summer, opening of pools and beaches.
It is a solemn reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love
carried by the families of those we have lost.
For Gold Star families, remembrance is not limited to one day.
It lives in every memory, whether a picture that is frozen in time
or a flashback of a moment that seemed just like yesterday.
Every milestone that they do not get to take part in,
a child's graduation, a sibling's wedding, a parent's anniversary.
It is every moment their loved one is missed.
It doesn't matter how many years have passed, they are missed every single day.
today we honor the men and women who answered the call to serve something
greater than themselves standing with courage and honor and selfless
dedication to protect the freedoms we as a nation cherish the sons daughters
husbands wives mothers fathers sisters and brothers we remember today answered
the call of duty knowing the risk and they did so with pride and dedication to all the families here
who carry that loss please know you are not alone your loved ones are not forgotten their names
their service and their sacrifice continues to live on in the gratitude of a nation thank you
to the city of chicago and mayor johnson for continuing to hold these ceremonies so that we
can come together to honor and remember the brave men and women of Illinois for
embracing the Gold Star families and letting them know their loved one is not
forgotten. Their duty was to serve, ours is to remember. Thank you. Thank you, Jean.
Escorted by the JROTC cadets, we will now lay fourth wreaths in
commemoration of Memorial Day. Mayor Johnson and Sergeant Major Janet
Sandoval will lay the United States wreath. Our military representatives will
lay the Armed Forces wreath.
will lay the gold star family wreath. The final wreath is the POW MIA wreath in
honor of those who are not forgotten. I ask everyone to stand as Jory Phillips
of Lyons Township High School sings God Bless America followed by the three
volley salute by the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade Illinois National
Guard and taps by Sister Sue Kildusky with bugles across America.
God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam, America, home sweet, America, my home sweet home.
Thank you for joining us for this morning's ceremony.
As you gather with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, let us not forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you.
You