Aurora Remembers Fallen Heroes With Virtual Memorial Day Event

AURORA, IL — The coronavirus pandemic may have forced Aurora officials to cancel the Memorial Day parade, but it did not stop the city from coming together Monday to honor its fallen heroes. Thousands watched Monday as the city’s elected officials, including Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and U.S. Reps. Bill Foster and Lauren Underwood, hosted a virtual event to pay tribute to “those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we all enjoy."

Irvin, who served in the U.S. Army during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, said he is “eternally grateful” to his fellow soldiers who died in the line of battle.

“As a proud veteran of the United States Army, I remember all too well the day I packed my bags and left to serve in the Middle East,” Irvin said. “Unlike many of my comrades, I returned safely home, but not as the same person. When you live life on the battlefield it changes you forever."

“I know I made it out alive because so many others went before me and did not,” Irvin continued. “I am eternally grateful to them for their service.”

During the event that was broadcast on the city's Facebook page and website, Master Sgt. Anthony Vaughn honored the state’s fallen soldiers, who upheld their oaths to defend the country “at the greatest costs.”

“Every service member makes a brave and selfless decision to join the military and accept the call of duty,” said Vaughn, who serves as assistant director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. “For some, that decision results in the ultimate sacrifice, and it is our duty to remember those fallen warriors.”

The city’s virtual event paid a special tribute to six Aurora natives who died while serving their country: Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos, killed in action Jan. 26, 2005, in Iraq; Lance Cpl. Edwardo Lopez, killed in action Oct. 19, 2006, in Iraq; Lance Cpl. Jesse De La Torre, killed in action April 16, 2007, in Iraq; Specialist Christopher Patterson, killed in action Jan. 6, 2012,in Afghanistan; Lance Cpl. Sara Medina, killed in action May 12, 2015, in Nepal; and Specialist Miguel Villalon, killed in action Jan. 11, 2020, in Afghanistan.

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Irvin also used the Memorial Day event to remember the 64 Aurora residents who have died from coronavirus-related conditions, as of Monday. Irvin called on residents to “put politics aside and remember the importance of standing as one, for our community and for our country.”

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“As we remember those who lost their lives in battle fighting known enemies, we must remember those who lost their lives in a battle against an unseen enemy in COVID-19,” Irvin said. Nearly 3,000 Aurora residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, as of Monday, according to the city’s website.