Memorial Day is more than a moment of solemn reflection in Aurora. The City of Lights has shed its share of tears for those in the military killed while serving their country.
That rang true again Monday as Aurora honored and remembered fallen members of the military during Memorial Day observances that included a pre-parade program.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner deviated from his usual historical accounts of wars past and present as they relate to his city to call for a moment of silence.
Marine Cpl. Sara A. Medina, 23, was killed May 12 in a helicopter crash during a humanitarian mission in earthquake-hit Nepal, along with five other Marines and two soldiers from Nepal’s army.
The six Marines were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 from Camp Pendleton, California. Medina was a combat photographer.
“We all mourn today for the loss of Sara,” Weisner said from the parade reviewing stand overlooking the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall on Downer Place.
Cecilia Lopez, Sara’s mother, made an unexpected appearance within the first few units of the parade.
Lopez rode in the car honoring the memory of Lance Cpl. Jesse DeLaTorre. The U.S. Marine, also an East Aurora High graduate, was killed April 16, 2007 in Al Anbar province while conducting combat operations in Iraq.
Juan DeLaTorre, a brother and now U.S. Marine Reserve, had led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the late Marine’s sister, Brenda DeLaTorre-Aguirre, drove the car in the parade.
“We are here with you,” said Clayton Muhammad, the city’s director of communications, who was co-anchoring the review of the parade units for the crowds gathered in the city’s downtown.
Weisner recognized Joshua Ryan San Diego, an Aurora Central Catholic High School senior for having received a Frederick C. Branch Scholarship by the Naval ROTC Marine Option program. He is the first from Aurora to receive the distinction.
The pre-parade ceremony began with an inaugural community presentation by the West Aurora High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard. The unit featured Patrick Guest, Galahad Davis, Itzel Reyes and Angelise Melendez.
“The kids were excited about their first public appearance,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Erik Pettyjohn, senior instructor of the program.
This year’s grand marshals were World War II Army veterans Helen and Joe Rippinger, who served their country as a nurse and pilot, respectively. The Aurora couple received applause while riding in a red convertible Mustang.
“We feel fortunate to have survived the war,” Joe Rippinger said, before the parade officially stepped off.
The parade featured veterans organizations, including the Roosevelt Aurora Post 84, Amvets Post 103, Waidley VFW 468, the GAR Commission Post 20, the Fox Valley Marines and the Chicago Highland Rifles. Six local school marching bands performed along the route as well.
Uncooperative weather threatened to cancel Aurora’s traditional observances for the entire weekend. For the most part rain stayed at bay other than two major passing showers when observers were told, “umbrellas up.”
“We were concerned about the public’s safety. We were glad that we didn’t make the call to cancel two days ago. A veteran told me he fought in conditions far worse than rain. …. We have to be able to come out and honor our fallen,” Muhammad said.
Sherry Albright, of Aurora, was one of the thousands of parade watchers determined not to let gray clouds discourage her from coming to the Memorial Day observances. Albright said she was stunned to have recently come across a World War II letter written from her father to his parents.
“His Army unit had won three small battles, but he never had to fire because he was sent ahead. It was something that he never expressed in words to his own family. It reminded me of what my own father and other families go through in times of war and loss,” Albright said.
Girardi is a freelance reporter
