In the wallet of Harold Cowell, one of more than 200 people gathered for Evanston’s Memorial Day service, is a copy of his Navy profile, listing the three ships he served on and the five medals he earned in World War II.
But Cowell, a member of the American Legion of Evanston, Post 42, said he is not a hero. The real heroes, he said, are the men and women who died in war, some of which are listed on three columns in Evanston’s Fountain Square.
“As a veteran, I look at the names on the monument, and I know a few of them,” he said, pointing to the name of a man who he said had been engaged to his second-oldest daughter.
Cowell joined those gathering Monday at the intersection of Orrington and Sherman avenues and Davis Street to honor the names and stories of those killed while serving in war. The event featured speeches by veterans and city officials, as well as a rifle salute by Northwestern’s Naval ROTC.
Participating units included the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnow and various women’s auxiliaries. Allan “Bo” Price, commander of the Evanston VFW, Post 7186, said many of the veterans have been attending the ceremony for decades.
“We don’t forget,” Price said. “We’ve been through hell.”
War veterans were not the only Evanston residents who attended the ceremony. Children sat around a flag pole and elderly women placed wreaths by the memorial.
“I enjoy being here because of a particular representation of our city, and that is its diversity,” said World War II veteran Ira Golan, who has led the singing of “America the Beautiful” at the event for 13 years.
City officials also spoke at the event. Ra Joy, spokesman U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., briefly spoke on freedom on behalf of the congresswoman. Mayor Lorraine H. Morton spoke about the courage of veterans of the Korean War.
“We, the citizens of Evanston,” Morton said, “join in saying to them a belated, but a heartfelt and genuine, thank you.”
The annual Evanston celebration has changed since the days when thousands of residents would come out for a Memorial Day parade and services, Cowell said. But those at the memorial this year offered their appreciation of the veterans through a somber attitude in song and prayer.
A bumper sticker on Cowell’s car, he said, says it all: “If you love your freedom, thank a vet.”
