Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member: 132nd
Assault Support Helicopter Co
Battle
Region/War: Chu Lai, Vietnam
Awards:
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal

The Western Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10778 announces the
Grand Marshal and&nbsp;date for the Western
Springs Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026. Bill Nawrot will
serve&nbsp;as the parade’s
Grand Marshal.
Parade Grand
Marshal
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Located in Vietnam’s
Quảng Nam Province, Chu Lai was a United States Marine Corps&nbsp;military base,
operational from 1965 to 1970, which included an airfield to support
military operations&nbsp;during the Vietnam
War.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Joining the service
ranks in Aug of 1968, Bill enlisted in the Army on his 19th birthday.
He was&nbsp;assigned to the Flight Line in Chu Lai, Vietnam, from Feb 1969 to April 1970, as part
of a 5-man&nbsp;mechanics crew. Bill
was charged with major and minor maintenance repairs, for 12 CH-47
Chinook&nbsp;helicopters
completing a scheduled rotation for parts replacement every 100 hrs.
Sporadically, the Flight Line was
under mortar fire from the Vietnamese forces.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;On Apr 1970, Bill was
discharged from Army Service. Bill returned to Illinois to his
previous&nbsp;job at Illinois Bell
Telephone. He worked at Bell Telephone for 27 years as an outside
communications&nbsp;technician. After
Bell Telephone, Bill began a second career at MCI/Verizon where he
worked for 12&nbsp;years until
retirement in 2010.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bill was part of the
“Operation Support The Troops America” in Naperville, IL. Since
joining&nbsp;the Western Springs
VFW in 2014, Bill has worked with the Memorial Day Parade Committee
where he&nbsp;creates the 4-page
parade program, and coordinates the vehicles where veterans ride
during the parade.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Bill is married to
Patti, and they are parents to 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and one
great-granddaughter. Bill
and Patti are avid classic car collectors with 2 Pontiac GTO, a
Lincoln Town&nbsp;Car, and 2 Mustangs.

Local Event: VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance

Cook County

Western Springs

Illinois

VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance


Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member:...

Thomas Ford Memorial Library

Teens &amp; Tweens: Do your own at home experiment! Get hands on experience extracting DNA from a strawberry using common household products. Available in the Teen/Tween Room. While supplies last.

Local Event: Strawberry DNA Extraction Kit

Strawberry DNA Extraction Kit

Teens & Tweens: Do your own at home experiment! Get hands on experience extracting DNA from a strawberry using common household...

Adults, All Ages: The Library is partnering with the Village of Western Springs to provide residents with the opportunity to meet with a social worker to access resources supporting:
<ul><li>Mental health issues</li><li>Support for older adults</li><li>Youth-related challenges</li><li>Other social and emotional difficulties</li></ul>
This is a monthly drop-in program that aims to positively impact individuals and families within our community and is completely confidential.

Local Event: Social Worker at the Library

Social Worker at the Library

Adults, All Ages: The Library is partnering with the Village of Western Springs to provide residents with the opportunity to...

Join Faye Levin-O’Leary as they discuss the history of musicals, from the early days of Vaudeville through modern hits.

Local Event: History of Musicals

History of Musicals

Join Faye Levin-O’Leary as they discuss the history of musicals, from the early days of Vaudeville through modern hits.

American Legion

Encore Center for Performing Arts invites you to be part of a deeply meaningful community experience in Elmhurst.
Through a unique partnership with Freedom Sings USA, veterans will share their stories in a powerful and personal way. Working one-on-one with Grammy Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated Nashville songwriters, their experiences are transformed into original songs, performed live for the community that same evening.

What You’ll Experience
<ul><li>An intimate and reverent evening, unlike a traditional performance</li><li>Real stories of service, shared through music</li><li>A meaningful way to honor veterans in our community</li><li>A powerful, emotional experience you won’t forget</li></ul>We hope you'll join us for this truly memorable event.

Local Event: An Intimate Evening with Freedom Sings

DuPage County

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills

An Intimate Evening with Freedom Sings

Encore Center for Performing Arts invites you to be part of a deeply meaningful community experience in Elmhurst.
Through a...

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration.&nbsp;

Local Event: Knitting Circle

Knitting Circle

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration. 

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft with other local writers. Whether this is your career or hobby, writers of all levels and genres are invited. Questions in advance? Please contact Jim Swinehart at jrswinehart10@gmail.com.

Local Event: Western Springs Writers' Society

Western Springs Writers' Society

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft...

Grab your friends and family for a fun night out at Friday Night Live downtown Downers Grove! Free live entertainment at the Main Street Train Station, 5:30-8pm, by All Hat No Cattle, a Bluegrass Band.
While you're downtown, be sure to stop by our amazing local shops and restaurants! Check out the full Friday Night Live band lineup for the season at <a href="https://downtowndg.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExc2xZenlNU0hBck1jRE45Y3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6INVm2HrxjbENGvTrbqK2i5qXnFR3vj0iZOZJiahPG030rtIvpiZgkGQkVQg_aem_1gzlznmSkKxoKYwl29s4Ig" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">downtowndg.org</a>!

Local Event: Friday Night Live Downtown Downers Grove

Downers Grove

Friday Night Live Downtown Downers Grove

Grab your friends and family for a fun night out at Friday Night Live downtown Downers Grove! Free live entertainment at the...

RE/MAX Premier

Sat., May 30 from 10a-12p - Everyone is welcome!
Clear out the clutter at this free, fast, and secure community shredding event hosted by RE/MAX Premier. Attendees are welcome to bring up to three bags of documents per car, but please ensure all metal clips and bindings are removed beforehand.
Swing by, say hello to your neighbors, and sign up to win a $100 gift certificate while you wait!
RE/MAX Premier, 101 Burr Ridge Pkwy (BMO&nbsp;Building Parking Lot)

Local Event: Free Community Shredding Event

Burr Ridge

Free Community Shredding Event

Sat., May 30 from 10a-12p - Everyone is welcome!
Clear out the clutter at this free, fast, and secure community shredding event...

All Saints Episcopal Church

All Purpose Grind is a funky five-piece powerhouse blending rock, blues, and grit with a unique fiddle-driven edge. They will perform a free concert at All Saints Episcopal Church in Western Springs (4370 Woodland Ave) from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Doors open at 1:30 pm. In addition to music, light refreshments will be provided. We will have a free-will collection for cash donations to support the Off The Street Club, Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club.&nbsp; They are a non-profit youth center offering children in Garfield Park a safe place to laugh, dream, and reach their full potential.&nbsp; All are welcome!&nbsp;

Local Event: Free Concert: All Purpose Grind!

Free Concert: All Purpose Grind!

All Purpose Grind is a funky five-piece powerhouse blending rock, blues, and grit with a unique fiddle-driven edge. They will...

Registration: June 1 - June 30
Competition: Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Thomas Ford Memorial Library
Grades 5-8&nbsp;
Join us for the seventh annual Library Battle of the Books between the La Grange, La Grange Park, Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield and Thomas Ford Memorial libraries. Register at your preferred library and we will place you in a team of 5. If you want to make sure you’re placed in a team with friends, include a team name in parentheses after your name. Register, read the books listed below before July 29, then compete against your peers!
Books:&nbsp;
The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner
How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day
Blood City Rollers by Veronica Park Anderson

Local Event: Library Battle of the Books: Sign up

Library Battle of the Books: Sign up

Registration: June 1 - June 30
Competition: Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Thomas Ford Memorial Library
Grades...

Monday, June 1 – Friday, July 31
Ages Birth&nbsp;– Grade 4
Sign up in person at the Youth Services desk to pick up your registration packet. Plant A Seed, Read&nbsp;is rooted in the concept of farm to table. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. The idea of this theme looks at the library as a community table where, instead of food, we feast on ideas. Register and participate in this fun reading challenge to win prizes.&nbsp;
Prize distribution will begin Monday, June 15 and end on Friday, July 31.
This program&nbsp;is made possible by our Summer Reading signature sponsor, the Thomas Ford Library Foundation.

Local Event: Youth Services Summer Library Challenge: Plant A Seed, Read

Youth Services Summer Library Challenge: Plant...

Monday, June 1 – Friday, July 31
Ages Birth – Grade 4
Sign up in person at the Youth Services desk to pick up your registration...

Youth Services Summer Library Challenge: Plant A Seed, Read

Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous programs and are available while supplies last. Which craft will you take home?

Local Event: Mystery Craft Kits

Mystery Craft Kits

Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous programs and are...

Teens &amp; Tweens: Grow your own microgreens in a hydroponic planter made from a recycled 2-liter bottle. Available in the teen room. While supplies last.

Local Event: DIY Hydroponic Planter Kit

DIY Hydroponic Planter Kit

Teens & Tweens: Grow your own microgreens in a hydroponic planter made from a recycled 2-liter bottle. Available in the teen...

2nd-4th Grade: A whole garden can start with a single seed. Find out how as we share the story Mara Plants a Seed&nbsp;by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli. Then we’ll decorate pots and plant our own seed to grow at home.

Local Event: CRAFTernoon: Plant a Seed

CRAFTernoon: Plant a Seed

2nd-4th Grade: A whole garden can start with a single seed. Find out how as we share the story Mara Plants a Seed by Robert...

Ruth Lake Country Club

<img src="https://i0.wp.com/scoreboardcharities.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MMIM-2026-Instagram-Post-7-1.png?resize=819%2C1024&amp;ssl=1"><a href="https://www.scoreboardcharities.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">scoreboardcharities.com</a> Beer and bourbon tasting along with chef's tasting plates. Music by Keithen Banks. . Open Bar all night.

Local Event: Meet Me in Manhattan, An Old Fashioned Way to Beat Cancer

Meet Me in Manhattan, An Old Fashioned Way to...

scoreboardcharities.com   Beer and bourbon tasting along with chef's tasting plates.  Music by Keithen Banks. .  Open Bar all...

Meet Me in Manhattan, An Old Fashioned Way to Beat Cancer

DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds

Kick off the summer antiques show season on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9 - 3, at the 4th Annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show in Wheaton, Illinois. Dealers from 7 states will gather under one roof to present the best of Americana. This show was held for many decades at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The DuPage Event Center &amp; Fairgrounds is now their 'forever' home. Free parking. Good food and plenty of comfortable seating. ATM. Admission of $10 benefits historical preservation projects. Under 15 free.

Free parking.Good food &amp; plenty of comfortable seating. ATM. Admission of $10 benefits historical preservation projects. Under 15 free. 

Produced by:Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association

Local Event: Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show

Wheaton

Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show

Kick off the summer antiques show season on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9 - 3, at the 4th Annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds...

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will be sorted by self-ranked skill level and questions are welcome. Sets of tiles and cards will be provided, along with some assistance in game play.&nbsp;

Local Event: Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will...

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at <a href="mailto:gfrotter@yahoo.com">gfrotter@yahoo.com</a>.

Local Event: Investment Discussion Group

Investment Discussion Group

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at gfrotter@yahoo.com.

Need some reading inspiration or want to share some reading inspiration? Socialize with other readers and share favorite titles or recent reads. Light refreshments will be provided.&nbsp;

Local Event:  Reader's Night In

 Reader's Night In

Need some reading inspiration or want to share some reading inspiration? Socialize with other readers and share favorite titles...

Nearby Communities

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Events and Things to Do in Western Springs, IL

Thursday, May 28

An Intimate Evening with Freedom Sings

MAY

28

7:00 PM

American Legion, 310 W Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst, IL

Saturday, May 30

Free Community Shredding Event

MAY

30

10:00 AM

RE/MAX Premier, 101 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Burr Ridge, IL

Also around town...

Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Monday, May 25

Tuesday, May 26

Wednesday, May 27

Thursday, May 28

Friday, May 29

Saturday, May 30

Sunday, May 31

Monday, June 1

Wednesday, June 3

Thursday, June 4

Saturday, June 6

Tuesday, June 9

Wednesday, June 10

An Intimate Evening with Freedom Sings

Free Community Shredding Event