Veterans Take the Lead at Tinley Park's 26th Irish Parade as the Nation's 250th Birthday Nears

Nick Suleyman rode his motorcycle down Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park on Sunday afternoon, and the crowds along the route cheered him on. Some shouted "Thank you!" as he passed. The occasion was the village's 26th annual Irish Parade.

For Suleyman, a 76-year-old Monee resident who leads area veterans groups, the welcome stood in sharp contrast to his own experience. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war from 1968 to 1972, a period when some Americans resented the military personnel fighting there. "I was called a 'baby killer,' and I was spit at," he said. "I was yelled at. I was ignored." He added that returning service members were told not to wear their uniforms.

Doug Rasmussen, chairman of the Tinley Park Veterans Commission, said he knew a Vietnam veteran who had dog feces thrown on him. Those days, he said, are long gone.

This year's parade put the United States' 250th birthday in the spotlight, with veterans serving as grand marshal. Members of VFW Post 2791 and the Tinley Park Veterans Commission led the procession, and the USS Chicago Base Submarine Veterans also took part.

Village officials said veterans deserve that place of honor. "The veterans should always be put first for what they did," Mayor Michael Glotz said. "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the freedom that we all enjoy today in the United States." Village Trustee Bill Brady said veterans should be honored no matter which war they served in, adding that without them "we would all be speaking with British accents."

Suleyman said that after the way Vietnam veterans were treated, his generation of service members resolved that it would not happen again. "We said 'never again,'" he said, adding that veterans of later conflicts have been welcomed home and celebrated. An honor guard commander and commander of the American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association, he said the 250th anniversary makes him expect a memorable year. He acknowledged the country's hardships, including wars and the Civil War, and said it is again going through dissent.

The 60-degree weather brought out large crowds. The village did not have attendance figures, though it typically hopes for about 40,000 people.

Among the spectators was a group of eight family members from Tinley Park, plus a dog they called Benjamin O'Shamrock. James Navarro said he is mostly Italian but 25% Irish, "just like Henry Hill from 'Goodfellas,'" so he can still celebrate. The group has gathered at the parade for nine years and has grown thanks to children. Andy Collins said they once lived right behind St. George and walked to the parade. Navarro said even cold, windy and snowy weather would not keep them away: "It only motivates us."

The Gilbert family, also of Tinley Park, has made the parade a tradition for perhaps 15 years, according to Chris Gilbert, who held his 4-year-old daughter, Callahan, on his shoulders for a better view. "Rain or shine, we're here," he said, calling it good family fun.

The village's celebrating continues. Through March 17, Tinley Park will present a St. Patrick's Day light show every hour from 7 to 10 p.m. each night at Harmony Square downtown.