The Joliet Stone City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2199 will honor two local World War II veterans as both turn 99 years old this month.
The VFW post will host a parade and outdoor party on Sunday for Felix Pasteris and Attilio "Ted" Micci. Other World War II veterans are expected and encouraged to attend, according to a news release.
Pasteris, born June 11, 1921, joined the Army Air Force before the war started, three weeks after he graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1940, according to the release. He was the crew chief for a P-38 plane called "Lightning," and was awarded three Presidential Citations and a Bronze Star.
Micci, born June 25, 1921, served in the Army Air Force as a radioman on a B-17 Bomber Flying Force, according to the release. He served the maximum 25 allowed missions before returning home, and flew on a plane called the "Thundermug," which was named after a chamber pot, for dropping bombs.
The two veterans are expected to arrive around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the VFW post, located at 123 Stone City Drive, at the corner of Laraway Road and Route 53 in Joliet. The parade will begin at 1 p.m.
The parade will enter from Laraway Road, go around the curve and exit onto Route 53. Participants will need to adhere to strict social distancing to protect the veterans. The men will be positioned in a roped off area.
The VFW post will offer a limited menu from the outdoor grill and will have a full bar for the party. A DJ will be available in the afternoon.