Romeoville groups honor fallen veterans

Veteran organizer said Memorial Day is to ‘remember, but also enjoy yourself because that’s what they gave their life for’

Romeoville, Memorial Day

A group of about 50 volunteers from multiple organizations in Romeoville spent part of the weekend paying tribute to deceased veterans at a local cemetery in honor of Memorial Day.

The Hampton Park Social Athletic Club and the American Legion Post 52 of Romeoville organized the volunteers to place small American flags in front of the graves of veterans at Resurrection Cemetery on 135th Street in the village.

Romeoville, Memorial Day

Romeoville resident Christopher Bebo, 28, said he is a U.S. Army engineer who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he organizes the event for the athletic club and the Legion.

He said the the effort was a dual venture between the two organizations and that they like to invite youth organizations to come out and help plant more than 900 flags at graves. On Saturday, members of a local Girl Scouts troop were also on hand to volunteer their time for the event.

Acknowledging that the holiday is meant to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military, Bebo said Americans should enjoy the extended holiday weekend because that ability is exactly what those who served their country fought for.

“That is what they would like people to celebrate,” Bebo said. “To celebrate life and be happy ... yes remember, but also enjoy yourself because that’s what they gave their life for.”