Keynote speaker for the event was Vanessa Sheridan, USAF, a transgender veteran who is Center on Halsted’s director of transgender relations and community engagement. She spoke passionately about the need to vote and to honor those who serve and have served in the U.S. military. Sheridan also sang the “National Anthem”.
Mona Noriega, commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, read a proclamation from Mayor Rahm Emanuel honoring LGBTQ veterans.
Jim Darby, U.S. Navy, founder and president emeritus of American Veterans for Equal Rights Chicago Chapter, spoke about AVER’s mission. Also playing roles in the ceremony were Ed Wosylus, USAF, posting the colors, and Larry Simpson, Army National Guard, calling the program to order.
Singer Dean Ogren performerd “America the Beautiful”.
After the ceremony, there was a flag procession outside where an AVER wreath was placed at the Eternal Flame in Daley Plaza. Lakeside Pride Marching Band members Susan Jones and Melissa Terrell performed “Echo Taps”.