Elmhurst Veteran Named Memorial Day Parade's Grand Marshal

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst has named William R. "Bill" Shanklin as the grand marshal for the city's 108th Memorial Day Parade on May 25.

He is a longtime resident and Army Special Forces veteran.

Shanklin's military service spans the Cold War and Vietnam War era, according to the city's announcement.

The city said he was unanimously selected by the Memorial Day Parade Committee in recognition of both his military service and his long commitment to honoring veterans in Elmhurst.

Beyond his time in the Army, Shanklin has remained active in Elmhurst for decades. The city said he has held leadership roles with the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission, the Veterans Memorial Commission and American Legion Post 187.

When Shanklin was 75, he took part in the 75th anniversary of D-Day, completing a commemorative parachute jump into Normandy, the city said.