Memorial Day 2026

Chicago's mayor Brandon Johnson laying a wreath at Memorial Day ceremony May 25th, 2026, at Grant Park.

On Monday May 25^th, I attended the wreath laying ceremony in Chicago at Grant Park and the event was very impressive. The turnout was very strong and the event even garnered media attendance. I imagine many fellow Americans participated in similar events of remembrance for the sacrifices of so many over so many years. After 20-plus years of service, and three deployments, I retired almost 10 years ago and find myself reflecting on my experiences and the wide-range of people I served with…many I recall fondly.

After the ceremony I sat in one of the chairs set up for the event and enjoyed a sandwich and veggies. A young gentleman was sitting a couple of seats away explained he arrived at the ceremony a little late and inquired who the guest speaker was. I confirmed the guest speaker and explained the speaker seemed very approachable.  The young man asked if I had served and I explained that I had. In return I inquired whether he served and was very pleased this unassuming young man had served as an enlisted US Marine, attended the US Naval Academy, earned a commission, recently completed Basic Underwater Demolitions School (or “BUDS” the initial gateway towards becoming a US Navy SEAL, part of the US military’s Special Operations Forces (SOF)).

During our conversation I learned this gentleman is from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and graduated from the same high school I did about thirty years after me. I was very pleased to have had such an interesting interaction during attendance at the wreath laying. I believe in the trying times we face there are very bright, moral and highly ethical young warriors carrying on the exceptional work laid out by the generations before us.