Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, together with combat veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth will honor local and national veterans at this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.  Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson of the Illinois Army National Guard will deliver the keynote address, and members from each branch of the United States military, civic leaders, cadets from the Chicago Public Schools JROTC will be represented. The Veterans Day ceremony will take place in City Hall Council Chambers on Sunday, November 11, at 11am.

“On Veteran’s Day, it is important to honor the brave people that serve our country who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom,” said Mayor Emanuel. “While their service can never be repaid, we are committed to supporting our brave veterans who call this city home.”

“Veterans Day is a time to honor our heroes for all that they’ve done to keep the rest of us safe,” said Senator Duckworth. “This Veterans Day I hope that we all reflect on the debt that we each owe to those who have served this great nation in uniform.”

The program will feature the “National Anthem” sung by Alleece Baker with USO of Illinois, the “Armed Forces Medley” performed by the 144^th Army Ceremonial Band, Illinois National Guard, “Taps” by Tom J. Day founder of Bugles Across America and a wreath laying ceremony.

The keynote address will be delivered by Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson, Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard. General Jackson serves as a principal advisor to the Adjutant General and is responsible for assisting the Adjutant General in formulating, developing and coordinating programs, policies and plans affecting the Illinois Army National Guard and its nearly 9,900 Citizen-Soldiers. With over 33 years of military service, General Jackson represents the Adjutant General and the Illinois Army National Guard in a variety of forums, which affect the Illinois National Guard and the communities of Illinois.

Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who have served honorably in the military in wartime and peacetime. Originally known as Armistice Day and so declared by President Woodrow Wilson, it was created to mark the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I. Following World War II, it was declared a day to honor all veterans and in 1954, renamed Veterans Day by Congress.

For information on all programs presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, visit our website at cityofchicago.org/dcase and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.