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Molitor will bring the music at Winnetka’s Memorial Day ceremony
Allen Molitor, who has lived in Winnentka for more than 50 years, will lead the singing during the Memorial Day ceremony Monday in the Village Green, for the 32nd time. | Kimberly Fornek~Sun-Times Media
Memorial Day Parade
WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday
WHERE: Starts at the intersection of Glendale Ave. and Elm St. Heads east on Elm to the Village Green
WHAT: Memorial Day Ceremony
WHEN: at the conclusion of the parade
WHERE: the cenotaph in the Village Green on Maple Street, south of Elm
PROGRAM: includes patriotic songs, the pledge of allegiance, an address by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ronald J. Tye, roll call, taps and a benediction
Updated: July 2, 2012 8:56AM
Winnetka will honor those who have died while in military service with a parade and ceremony on Memorial Day, a tradition for the past 85 years.
Twenty to 25 Scout troops, flag units, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Great Lakes recruits and other groups will march in the parade which will leave from Glendale Avenue and Elm Street at 10 a.m. Monday. They will march east on Elm to the Village Green where a ceremony will be held at the cenotaph to honor service men and women.
Allen Molitor has been part of that tradition for 32 years. Molitor is a member of the Saints Faith, Hope and Charity choir, as he was when he was first asked to lead the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem. His age is catching up to him, said Molitor, who has lived in Winnetka for more than 50 years.
“At 80 years old, my voice is not what it used to be,” Molitor said. But, he noted, “I guess they like it.”
He was the first person DeDe Kern thought of for the job. Kern, recreation supervisor for the Winnetka Park District, helps organize the Memorial Day activities every year.
“He has made a very positive contribution to the Memorial Day program for the 18 years that I have been running it,” Kern said. “He is an eager volunteer.”
Molitor retired about 15 years ago from the Country Cobbler shoe stores, where he worked for 45 years. He stays busy chauffeuring his grandchildren to their activities.
“I’m the taxi,” Molitor said. But, recently, he has been practicing patriotic songs at home.
With music from the Bill Porter Concert Band, Molitor will lead the singing of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” as well as “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday.
