Female Marine To Lead Crystal Lake Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The city of Crystal Lake plans to hold its Memorial Day parade and ceremony on May 29, and for the first time in the event's history, a female keynote speaker has been picked to lead the ceremony.

Col. Patty Klop will be this year's keynote speaker. She has been with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where only 22 of the 233 reserve colonels are females, for 29 years and will speak about her personal story of enduring post-traumatic stress disorder and her recovery treatment, which has allowed her to feel fully whole again.

Klop has two master's degrees and multiple personal trainer certificates. She also has several military decorations, which include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and two gold stars.

This year's parade will step off at 11 a.m. on May 29 at Central High School and will run east on Franklin Avenue, north on Williams Street and west on Woodstock Street to Union Cemetery.

The memorial service will be held at Union Cemetery.

Also on May 29, Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home will be hosting a complimentary breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at their funeral home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake, for all armed service members, active and retired.

Residents are reminded that the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony is a meant to be a solemn event intended to honor veterans and those who have given their lives for their country. Those stopping out to the parade are asked to not distribute candy or fliers and to keep marching units and floats consistent with the nature of the event.