Though not a well-known holiday nationally, Armed Services Day has been a staple of Burr Ridge since former Mayor Mickey Straub, and organizer, began holding an annual celebration over a decade ago.
“Burr Ridge is proud to be one of the only towns in the state to hold a special event each year honoring all those currently serving in the US Military,” Straub said.
The former mayor noted the event honors all military — those in and out of service.
“The annual event started over 10 years ago when I had the honor of joining the committee and before I was elected mayor; this is the only committee that I retained the chairmanship of after leaving office because it’s one way I can show my love for this country,” he said.
This year’s event, which will begin at 10 a.m., will feature guest speaker Brig. Gen. Martin C. Jung who is serving as the Deputy Commanding General for the 416th Theater Engineer Command. The 416th is one of only two TECs in the Army, conducting theater-level engineer operations.
But beyond that, Straub said it’ll be a special event for him as it will likely be his last in Burr Ridge.
“This year is bittersweet because it will be the last one that I will be chairing and probably attending, because I will be relocating to the Nashville area in the coming months,” he said.
The event will be under tents at the village hall, rain or shine. The village hall is located at 7660 S. County Line Road.
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
