Plainfield Remembers the Fallen

Some were decked out in red, white and blue, while others were waving small American flags, but they were all there for one reason: To remember America's fallen heroes at Plainfield's annual .

The parade stepped off from , winding its way to as hundreds of residents took time out to Commemorate Memorial Day.

With performances from band and choir groups from all four Plainfield high schools and appearances by Scout troops and the local Military Moms group, the parade drew a crowd this year.

Addressing the crowd following the parade, Plainfield Mayor Mike Collins cited another event that drew a large turnout: Saturday's .

"It was very gratifying to see the wounded warriors and the support of almost 500 people," Collins said of the event's 477 participants. "It's so gratifying to see those individuals being welcomeed home, rather than yesteryear when they were not."

American Legion Marne Post 13 Cmdr. Jim Smith remembered the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

"They didn't run and hide," he said. "They didn't march in protest. They fought the good fight ... 

"We are a nation of warriors," Smith told the crowd. "We care about the freedom of our fellow man, so we continue to sacrifice our young men and women."

Cmdr. Jim Singler of Carillon VFW Post 12059 noted that Monday was the first Memorial Day since the end of the Iraq war.

"We lost nearly 5,000 of our finest young men and women," Singler said, but stressed the those lives were not lost in vain. "Each life lost has contributed to the evolution of America as we know it today — a free nation, a strong nation ...

"As American citizens we must not only remember the fallen. Our duty is to teach our youth that nothing comes without a price," and that the sacrfices of our fallen heroes must be remembered, Singler said.

Click through our photo gallery from Monday's Memorial Day parade, or add your own images by clicking "upload photos and videos."