The City of Chicago Heights annual Veterans Day Morning of Reflection ceremony on November 11th welcomed local veterans groups, family, friends and residents in paying tribute to the men and women of our armed forces.

MSgt (Ret) George Sanon, USAFR (PSC Student Veterans Center) served as emcee, and the Bloom NJROTC posted the colors to open the ceremony as the members of Girl Scout Troop 60035 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation followed and was delivered by Pastor Cheryl Anderson of Chicago Miracle Temple.

Mayor Gonzalez expressed gratitude for the great sacrifice made by our military veterans in his remarks, and a somber moment was observed as the mayor and a member of Boy Scout Troop 112 placed the wreath honoring our fallen soldiers. The ceremony included a bell-ringing as part of the nationwide Bells of Peace honoring the 116,516 American men and women who died in World War I. Following the bell-tolling, Dr. Isaiah Simpson, Senior Pastor of Spiritual Israel Temple of Christ, delivered the closing benediction.

“The Bells of Peace are a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and service of veterans of World War I and all veterans, and it was a poignant moment to reflect on what our nation believed at that time would be the war to end all wars,” Mayor Gonzalez remarked.