Memorial Day 2018: What's Open, Closed In Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Memorial Day weekend combines the unofficial kickoff to summer with a chance to honor those veterans of the armed forces, including those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of the United States. Since the tradition began 150 years ago to commemorate those who died in the Civil War, the federal holiday has evolved into a time for cookouts, parades and weekend getaways.

Here's what's open, closed and going on in and around Highland Park on Memorial Day 2018:

Veterans Ruck March
This annual event raises awareness of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide among the nation's veterans. The march from Glencoe to Lake Shore Drive on Friday commemorates and honors those who have been lost at home as well as on the battlefield. (Find out more, or register.)

Essence of Freedom Run
The 5K run to benefit service members marks its 5th anniversary Monday in Deerfield. The race begins at 8:45 p.m. and a Memorial Day parade and ceremony is set for 10 a.m. The event raises funds for Support Our Soldiers Freedom, Inc. a nonprofit group that provides resources to veterans and active duty military personnel for expenses that military benefits don't cover. (More info)

Highland Park Memorial Day Ceremony
The city's official 2018 Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the Highland Park High School auditorium at 433 Vine Ave. Highland Park residents who gave their lives in service of the United States will be remembered, and the HPHS band will perform patriotic tunes. The "Heroes Among Us" honoree for this year is Highland Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Greg Detlie, a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

Representatives from the American Legion Post #145, VFW Post #4737 and Jewish War Veterans #29 will be on hand to salute comrades who have passed, as Mayor Nancy Rotering and other special guests are also set to speak:

Gregory Detlie, U.S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War, Honoree

Greg currently serves as Commander of the Highland Park VFW Post 4737, having served in that position twice before. He was born and raised in Northfield, Minnesota, where he followed his father into the electrician trade after high school. In 1968 he enlisted into the U.S. Navy, which assigned him to the Navy's Construction Battalions, commonly known as the "SeaBees" with the motto of "Can Do" earned during service in WWII through to present conflicts. After ground combat training, he was assigned to the US Navy's Support Action Activity Station at the seaport of Danang, South Vietnam, about 100 miles south of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Vietnam. He entered Vietnam in late 1968. His duties included supporting construction needed by all the armed forces which operated from the large Danang Airbase. The Airbase was a constant target for attack by the enemy due its strategic location and significant military presence. Nighttime missile and mortar attacks and infiltration were regular hazards. Greg's tour of duty ended due to a vehicle involved incident whose cause was never determined. His injuries were so serious that he was transported to Great Lakes Naval Hospital for extensive treatment. After release from the hospital and early separation from the U.S. Navy due to his injuries, Greg remained in the area. He worked for 35 years at Chicago Botanic Gardens, recently retiring as Director of Maintenance. He and wife Sheryl have resided in Highland Park for the last 25 years.

Jack Jacobs, U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, Honoree

Jack was a student at DePaul University and was participating in the Civilian Pilots Training Program and had completed 30 hours of flight time. The day after Pearl Harbor, Jack joined the U.S. Navy. After completing psychological testing and physical training at the University of Chicago, Jack was one of Chicago’s Own, a group of seventy enlistees sent to a base in New Orleans for training and then to Jacksonville, Florida. He was not immediately shipped overseas. Jack was initially stationed in Pensacola as a flight instructor, training not only American pilots but even members of Britain’s Royal Air Force. In March of 1945, Jack was sent to the Pacific with Air Group 85. He was a Lieutenant Senior flying CV38 otherwise known as Corsairs, and was a fighter pilot assigned to the Shangri-la, an SS Class aircraft carrier. His group provided combat air patrols for 3 destroyers and Jack made 179 carrier landings. During his service, Jack earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals. One his most harrowing experiences was flying through a typhoon. Twenty-two people were lost during that mission, including his best friend who was shot down. Another time, he was returning to the Shangri-la and had only 6 or 7 gallons of fuel left but he was ordered to hold at 10,000 feet as enemy pilots had been spotted in the area. He was then instructed to hold at 12,000 feet. Then advised to hold at 30,000 feet. While temperatures near the carrier’s deck surface were in the 70’s, at 30,000 feet temps drop to 30 degrees below freezing. He was wearing his nylon jumpsuit and began to experience the effects of hypothermia, he started to lose control of his plane but was able to communicate the emergency and his need to land immediately. The fleet turned around – a protocol that was unheard of – he was able to land in practically making a vertical drop to the carrier deck. Air Group 85 was part of the massive preparations for an invasion of Japan. The Shangri-la was only 80 miles away from Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. Naval personnel aboard the carrier were only told about a “device the army had.”

via the City of Highland Park

Government Buildings

• The Highland Park and Highwood public libraries will be closed Monday.
• Non-essential public employees will have the day off.
• Postal service will not be available.

Transportation

• Metra will begin offering free rides to children through Labor Day.
• CTA will run on a weekend schedule.

Business

• Most supermarkets will be open, though some, like Costco, give their employees the day off.
• Many retailers offer special Memorial Day sales and deals for veterans.

Services

• No rubbish or recycling collection will take place Monday. All residential waste and recyclables will be picked up one day later than normal.

Memorial Day Weekend Park Schedule

Rosewood Beach
Sat. May 26 - Mon. May 28: Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Hidden Creek AquaPark
Sat. May 26-Mon. May 28: Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Park Avenue Boating
Sat. May 26-Mon. May 28: Staffed 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Centennial Ice Arena
Sun. May 27 and Mon. May 28: Closed
Sat. May 26: Open
Registration Desk: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Public Skating: 1:20 - 2:30 p.m.

Deer Creek Racquet Club
Sat. May 26: No PCT/Classes; Building open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sun. May 27: No PCT/Classes; Building open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Mon. May 28: No PCT/Classes; Building Closed
PCT (Permanent Court Time)

Heller Nature Center
Sun. May 27 and Mon. May 28 : Building Closed
Sat. May 26 : 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Grounds remain open everyday from dawn to dusk.

Recreation Center of Highland Park
Mon. May 28: Open
Facility: 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Pool: 5:15-11:30 a.m.
Lap Swim: 5:15-8:30 a.m.
3 Lanes for Lap Swim: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
4 Lanes for Lap Swim & Open Swim: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Open Gym: Court 1- 5-8 a.m., 11-11:45 a.m., Court 2- 5-11:45 a.m.
Kid Fit: 8-11:30 a.m.
Sat. May 26 & Sun. May 27: Regular Hours

Highland Park Golf Learning Center
Mon. May 29: Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sat. May 26 and Sun. May 27: Open 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

West Ridge Center
Sat. May 26: Registration Desk- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m./ Jammin' Jungle 9 - 11 a.m.
Sun. May 27: Closed
Mon. May 28: Closed

via the Park District of Highland Park

More:

• Catholic Cemeteries Remember The Brave With Memorial Day Masses
• Chicagoland Guide to Memorial Day Fests, Parades, Ceremonies