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WTTW News remembers those who served today. In this newsletter, we have stories on local vets and more. If you’re spending this Memorial Day relaxing and dreaming of the summer that awaits, check our Summer Festival Guide below to better explore the city and everything it has to offer. |
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National Memorial Day Concert 2025 (PBS) |
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America's national night of remembrance live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol brings us together to honor the service of generations of men and women in uniform, our military families, and to pay tribute to all those who have given their lives for our country. Hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise, the 2025 concert features personal stories and tributes interwoven with musical performances by world-renowned artists and the National Symphony Orchestra to commemorate the real meaning of the holiday. Check airings on WTTW today at 4 p.m. and four broadcasts on WTTW Prime at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. |
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WWII veterans Myron Petrakis and Marvin Elfman meet in a nursing home in Evanston, Ill. (WTTW News) |
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From 2024: It was a historic meeting nearly 80 years in the making. In 2024, in an Evanston nursing home, two local WWII veterans associated with a deadly ship explosion off the coast of Japan met in person for the very first time. One of them, Myron Petrakis, was just shy of his 102nd birthday. The other, Marvin Elfman, was 97. Family and friends were on hand to witness the historic moment. “We made it,” said Petrakis, who eagerly shook Elfman’s hand at the Dobson Plaza Nursing Home in Evanston, where Elfman resided. Elfman served as a minesweeper during WWII on the USS Minivet AM 371. On Dec. 29, 1945, shortly after the war’s conclusion, the ship hit a mine off the coast of Okinawa and sunk in three minutes. Elfman, who was grabbing a cup of coffee in the bow at the time, survived. Myron T. Petrakis passed away on Oct. 14, 2024, at the age of 102, while Marvin Elfman of Walkersville, Md., died on Nov. 8, 2024, at the age of 97. |
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Myron Petrakis is one of the veterans whose photo is on display in “American Heroes: Portraits of Service” at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports. (WTTW News) |
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From 2023: Between getting through security, changing gates and chasing kids, airports can be busy places. But you may want to build in a little more travel time the next time you visit Chicago’s O’Hare or Midway airports to enjoy an art exhibition. “American Heroes: Portraits of Service” is a show from photographer Thomas Sanders, who has made it his life’s mission to share the stories of veterans across the country. Featured on a wall of portraits are two local veterans: WWII veteran Myron Petrakis and Korean War veteran Richard Nelson. “Those things bring back memories, sad memories,” Petrakis said. “I still remember them all these years. Then to be picked to go to O’Hare was a great honor.” |
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Brandis Friedman and guests on “Chicago Tonight” on May 1, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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April marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, which is also known as the fall of Saigon. The conflict killed millions of Vietnamese and 60,000 American service members. “I was 18 years old and that was my first, what we call the ‘Westpac’ cruise,” said Dale Tippett, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy and helped evacuate the city of Saigon as part of Operation Frequent Wind. “I was just excited about being out there, being part of the military, being part of the Navy. It’s something I wanted to do, and this all just coincided with just that moment in history.” Mong Oanh was one of the evacuees who escaped Saigon. Her husband was in the Vietnamese Navy, but Oanh was able to board an American ship with him and their three children. They eventually made it to the U.S. and settled in Chicago. “You know, that time I did not know, but this is the new life, whatever we get, we work for it and very lucky that we got to the U.S.,” Oanh said. “This is a free country.” |
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Chicago Pride Fest, 2024. (Steven Koch / Northalsted) |
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Get ready for fun with this guide to neighborhood street fests, art shows, outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and events of all sizes across Chicago and the suburbs. This week, we're highlighting the return of Lisle's weekly Arbor Evenings event, Lincoln Square's Maifest German celebration, Windy City Hot Dog Fest and Do Division.
May 28: Arbor Evenings (Lisle)
On Wednesday, lounge on the Morton Arboretum lawn and take in a performance from Motown and R&B act R-Gang.
May 29-June 1: Maifest Chicago (Lincoln Square)
Drink a hefeweizen and eat some spaetzle in Lincoln Square.
May 30-June 1: Windy City Hot Dog Fest (Portage Park)
Enter the dog house with a local selection of encased meats.
May 30-June 1: Do Division Street Fest (Wicker Park)
If you're there for live music, you can't go wrong with Sunday's East Stage lineup. |
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Chicago's beaches opened for swimming last Friday. What's your favorite lakefront beach? |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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