Gil Rivera is a Vietnam War veteran. The Skokie resident served for two years until 1967 when he was medically discharged after he was injured by an explosion in an ambush.<\/p>\n
But for Rivera \u2014 despite his service and the injuries he suffered for the country \u2014 Veterans Day is about remembering his friends who didn\u2019t get to come home. That\u2019s why it was important for him to remember with other fellow veterans Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lost a lot of friends,\u201d he said, choking up. \u201cComing down here and being among all the veterans would be the right thing to do. It\u2019s a way to remember those that we lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veterans, active-duty military members, and elected officials gathered Monday on Veterans Day inside Soldier Field to honor those who served and mourn those who lost their lives defending America. About 65,000 veterans live in the city of Chicago.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this nation is not perfect, the things we hold dear are always worth defending,\u201d Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle told the crowd. \u201cWe\u2019re immensely grateful for your service, and we pledge to always remember your sacrifice, patriotism, and loyalty to your country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chicago was officially recognized as a Purple Heart City at the ceremony, a title that the city said reinforces its commitment to the veterans who live in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Mayor Brandon Johnson said it is important to honor veterans\u2019 time in the armed forces but also to support and protect them after their years of service. He pointed to his priorities on mental health and affordable housing as examples of that commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy administration will remain committed to building a thriving city where all people, especially our veterans, can thrive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gov. JB Pritzker pointed to initiatives he has worked on to show the state\u2019s interest in supporting veterans, such as opening the Chicago Veterans Home and making tuition for state public colleges and universities free for veterans.<\/p>\n
However, Pritzker focused on the values and ideals that veterans protected through their service.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur veterans \u2026 have embodied so many of the values and principles that they were sent to defend,\u201d he said. \u201cWe must exhibit the values and strive for the ideals that our veterans have stood for. As you all did, we must keep the promise of America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrea McClam served in the Air Force for nearly 27 years. Many of those were spent at the O\u2019Hare Air Reserve Station, but she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2003.<\/p>\n
For her, Veterans Day is about celebrating the men and women \u2014 especially the women, who she said are still overlooked despite their service \u2014 who risked their lives for the country. It\u2019s also a moment for her to meet others within the community who decided to make the same sacrifice she did.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou meet other veterans, from other branches of the service,\u201d she said. \u201cYou talk about your stories, places that you visited throughout your career, and it\u2019s just a great camaraderie, and I love that.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the sun set on Soldier Field, the crowd dispersed, carrying with them a renewed sense of gratitude and respect for the men and women who have served our country. It is our hope that this Veterans Day will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the debt we owe to those who have given so much for our freedom.<\/p>\n
* How many veterans live in the city of Chicago?
\n\t+ Approximately 65,000 veterans live in the city of Chicago.
\n* What is the Purple Heart City designation?
\n\t+ The Purple Heart City designation is a title that recognizes the city\u2019s commitment to supporting and honoring its veterans.
\n* What are some of the initiatives supported by Gov. JB Pritzker for veterans?
\n\t+ Some of the initiatives supported by Gov. JB Pritzker for veterans include opening the Chicago Veterans Home and making tuition for state public colleges and universities free for veterans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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