In a ceremony to both recognize the lost or missing soldiers and an admonishment of the government that left them behind, a POW/MIA tree lighting was held Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Park in Dixon.

Started in 1988, local veterans groups in Dixon continue to hold a POW/MIA tree lighting to remember those lost or missing. The colored bulbs on the POW/MIA tree represent a war or status of soldiers as seen at the tree lighting Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at Dixon's Veterans Memorial Park. White represents World War II, blue the Korean War, orange Desert Storm, clear is the Bulb of Hope, green means returned POW/MIAs and red signifies still missing in action.

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County set up a resource table, offering information on the services available to veterans in Will County.

The Peru Veterans Memorial Group held its 46th annual Pearl Harbor parade and memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the South Shore Boat Club in Peru.

People gather to honor late veterans during a wreath-laying ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in McHenry. The event was hosted by McHenry American Legion Post 491 and Team Home Depot. Organizers and supporters adorned thousands of gravesites with wreaths at St. Mary's and several other cemeteries in the area.

The Rochelle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is continuing its efforts to honor local veterans through the Wreaths Across America program.

Rochelle Township High School graduate William Gore Nye Sr. served in the United States Navy as a lieutenant junior grade from 1964-1967. He died July 11, 2024 at age 82.

On Friday, the McHenry American Legion is set to lay 3,000 wreaths on veteran graves at seven area cemeteries.

Sterling American Legion Post 296 invites the public to a Pearl Harbor Day remembrance ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, commemorating the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Dueñez, a Joliet native, was killed during a U.S. Army training exercise in Lithuania in March. He was only 25 when he died

Each banner will feature the service member’s name, photo, and branch of service. Banners measure 2 feet wide by 4 feet high and will be displayed on the light poles along First Avenue in Rock Falls.

With American flags lining his driveway, World War II U.S. Army Air Corps pilot Edward “Bud” Berthold arrived on his 106th birthday to his newly renovated home in McHenry County, completed by volunteers and donations.

Dewayne Adams of Holcomb served in the United States Army from 1955-1957. His duty included driving a supply truck during the Korean War. 

The 211 Helpline is a free, multi-lingual, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service where a live person helps the caller access resources and supports for a wide variety of needs.

Wreaths may be sponsored up until the deadline of Nov. 28 for placement this December.

Plano Methodist Church and Plano American Legion Auxiliary honored local veterans and their families.

Brandon Clark spoke with Jim Wise, Post Commander of VFW Post 5418 in Rock Falls, about the post’s history, its impact on the community, and ways to help keep its doors open for local veterans.

For the second year in a row, wreaths will be placed on local veterans' graves as part of Wreaths Across America. Community members are invited to participate and sponsor wreaths.

I remember when I wrote the Civil War book on the 15th Regiment. What spurred me on was the fact that the men were so afraid they would be forgotten. I liked the point brought out in the program – to say their names out loud when you visit cemeteries.

Polo Women’s Club participated in the annual wreath ceremony held at Fairmount Cemetery on Nov. 6, 2025.

Annie from Shaw Local radio interviews Chris Mueller, a La Salle native with 15 years of service, who tells what he did during active duty and reserve duty, and what he's doing now

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a Turkey Giveaway for veterans on Nov. 21.

Shaw Local Radio's Annie interviews Jerry Bacidore, a La Salle native on Veterans Day. Bacidore spoke about his active duty service, reserve service, and Team Rubicon, a volunteer organization started by a combat vet

Shaw Local Radio's Annie interviews Terry and Rodney Johnson of Princeton. Terry runs local Quilts of Valor and Rodney runs Flags of Freedom I-80.

The stories of veterans, including U.S Army veteran and Kankakee Police Deputy Chief Donell Austin, were front and center on Tuesday morning during the Kankakee County Veterans Council’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Kankakee County Museum.

On one of the coldest mornings of the 2025 autumn, a hardy group of past and present military veterans completed a 4.5-mile run past the three Manteno schools for a heart-warming annual event - the Manteno Veterans Run.

The American Legion will be serving a turkey dinner with all the trimmings from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Post 12, 1120 W. First St., Dixon.

The cold weather and wind forced the Morris American Legion Post 294’s annual Veterans Day Observance indoors on Tuesday, as local veterans and city residents gathered to pay their respects.

The Oswego American Legion Post 675’s annual Veterans Day ceremony was held Tuesday at the Oswego Veterans Memorial Plaza in downtown Oswego.

The Oregon School District's Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, included songs by students in each grade level, musical selections by the junior high and high school bands, and recognition of all veterans.

Attendees came out in large numbers for Veterans Day ceremony at Joliet American Legion hall.

Clinton Rosette Middle School celebrates Veterans Day with tributes to local veterans. “I thought it was a very positive and just a great experience for the students and a good way to celebrate a few of our local veterans,” principal Brant Boyer said.

Check out our photos from Veterans Day ceremonies throughout northern Illinois

Parkside Middle School held their annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 at Parkside Middle School in Peru.

Members of the Knights of Columbus held a ceremony and placed flags at the gravesites of veterans Tuesday in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, in Woodstock. Members of the Knights of Columbus Patriotic 4th Degree from the Bishop Boylan Assembly placed American flags at nearly 140 veterans gravesites in the cemetery. Bob Schafer stated: "As members of the Patriotic Degree of the Knights of Columbus, we want to remember those veterans that are at this final resting place. They all contributed to the freedom we enjoy in the USA, and we are here to show our appreciation and respect for their service.”

Students at Lincoln School honored Veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Princeton. A pair of United States Coast Guard commanders, Erin Chlum and Matt Saldivar, were the guest speakers during the event.

Hall High School held a Veterans Day program and WWII Memorial Park dedication on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Hall High School. The park is located on the southeast side of the school to continue the tribute to the 24 fallen soldiers who attended Hall High School in WWII. These were all part of Ella Sartain's Eagle Scout Service Project. Ella is a Hall student with the Class of 2026.

A flag ceremony was held for Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Stone City VFW Post 2199. A free community luncheon and health screening was also held at the post. The post has been under the new leadership of U.S. Army veteran Jose Guzman since last June.

Local veterans were recognized at a ceremony at Serena High School on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, attended by community members.

The American Legion Post 1080 in Joliet hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

A new leader at Joliet’s Stone City VFW Post 2199 has been working to bring in younger veterans like himself and grow the presence of the organization in the community.

McHenry worked with the American Legion to light up the city for Operation Green Light, honoring Veterans Day. And see other Veterans Day events.

Students at Merrill School in Rock Falls spent their school day Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, learning about veterans and the sacrifices they have made in service to the country.

Those who served were honored Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, during a Veterans Day ceremony in Dixon.

Area veterans visited Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb this week to have brunch, chat with students in their classrooms, and take part in an assembly.

A Marseilles native, Trisha Modeen is a Navy veteran who is a nurse at Ottawa High School and is involved in the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which awards quilts to active duty or military veterans that have been touched by war

DeKalb’s annual Veterans Day ceremony returns downtown Tuesday morning.

Anthony Rowley of Rochelle has served in the United States Marines for the past 19 years. 

Merrill School in Rock Falls spent Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, hearing from local veterans and working on projects to thank them.

The meal is provided by members from the Plano Methodist Church and the Plano American Legion Auxiliary Post #395.