Patriotic Service: 2019 Ruck March

Friday, May 24, 2019

Centennial Park, Evanston

In spite of predicted inclement weather that never fully materialized, spirits remained high and smiles wide.  The 2019 Ruck March lunch was better than ever, with droves of march participants descending on Centennial Park for a mid-point rest and ‘refuel.’

For the second consecutive year, NSCDA-IL underwrote and helped serve an abundant al fresco picnic lunch for march participants and volunteers.  With the help of Chicago Veterans, an inordinate quantity of grilled hot dogs was devoured by 2400 famished and weary walk participants, along with copious amounts of pasta, assorted chips/pretzels/caramel corn, untold amounts of condiments, water, fresh fruit and more.  Extraordinary team spirit and irrepressible enthusiasm were the orders for the beginning of this Memorial Day weekend.

Thank you to Jeannine Bergeron for her inspired leadership, and thank you to our volunteers for their tremendous show of patriotic pride and goodwill:  Priscilla Barlow, Lucy Bell,  Nancy Blake, Mary Carter, Lindsay and Tom Gorman, Freddie Hayes, Laura Koh, Claudia Lane, Peggy Redding, Sonya Wolsey-Paige, as well as guests Molly Stamer and Bob Eckola.  It was most definitely quick-paced, hands-on work, and all for the colossally satisfying cause of honoring our patriots on and off the battlefield.