2012 Antioch Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Village of Antioch 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, drawing in enormous crowds even on a very cold and windy night. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Zach Little, age 3 of Antioch, having an exceptionally great time with his Father, Chris, at the Village of Antioch's Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

The Antioch VFW marching proudly at the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village of Antioch 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, drawing in enormous crowds even on a very cold and windy night. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Grace Hodge, age 4 with brother Owen, age 2 of Lake Villa, trying to stay warm while having a good time at the Village of Antioch's Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Lilly McGuire, age 3, with Mother, Rachel, keeping warm at the Village of Antioch's Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Antioch Daisy Troops stop for a photo opportunity during the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Shawn Roby, gives everyone a heads up on the order of events for the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson, speaks briefly just before the Christmas Tree Lighting Countdown. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Huge crowds gather around the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Village Hall of Antioch. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

From left, is Mary Dominiak, Ted Paulos, Sarah Mucha (Miss Antioch), Jessica Lamberty (Jr Miss Antioch), Scott Pierce, and Mayor Larry Hanson, doing the actual Christmas Tree Lighting countdown of 2012. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

The Antioch High School Choir sings carols at the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Santa waves hello to all the Children and Families at the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Antioch Mayor Lawrence M. Hanson sits on Santa's lap at the Village of Antioch's Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Ethan Bernard, age 4 of Antioch, is ever so excited to visit Santa and has been waiting all year, at the Village of Antioch's 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village of Antioch 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village of Antioch 2012 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village Administrator Drew Irvin

Village Administrator Drew Irvin sitting at this desk at the Village Hall of Lake Bluff. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village Administrator Drew Irvin going over a few facts at the Village Hall of Lake Bluff. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village Administrator Drew Irvin at the Lake Bluff Village Hall. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village Administrator Drew Irvin (left) with Village Engineer George Russell, at the Lake Bluff Village Hall. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Village Administrator Drew Irvin at the Lake Bluff Village Hall. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag Replacement Honoring Marine at AOEC HS in Waukegan

Flag replacement honoring fallen Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School.  Family members gather for the dedication, Grandma Barbara Medlicott (left), next to her is brother, Ian Medlicott, 21, and friend Holly Greene, 19 of Kenosha. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Bart Medlicott organizes a Flag replacement honoring his son, Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag replacement honoring Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School.  Matthew's Grandma, Barbara, hugs the old flag while they post the new one. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Bart Medlicott becoming emotional as friends replace the American flag honoring his son, Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Porsha Brakes, Marine Sgt. of Chicago, handles the new flag replacements dedicated to Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

A new flag has been replaced in honor of Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School, his Grandma Barbara and Father Bart recite the Pledge of Allegiance. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Ian Medlicott, 21 of Waukegan, holds new flags that will replace the old ones that hang at the Waukegan AOEC High School, dedicated to his brother, Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended the school. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Joe Schmitt folds the old flag with Marine Sgt. Porsha Brakes, replaced with a new flag honoring Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

A new flag honoring Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott was erected at the Waukegan AOEC High School, where Matthew attended.  His family admiring it, from left, is Brother Ian, Grandma Barbara, and Father Bart, with Marines Joe Schmitt and Porsha Brakes saluting. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag replacement honoring fallen Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School.  Matthew's Grandma thinks of Matt while touching his dedication stone, Marine Sgt. Porsha Brakes shows her respect. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag replacement honoring fallen Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag replacement honoring fallen Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Flag replacement honoring fallen Marine LCPL Matthew Medlicott, who attended Waukegan AOEC High School. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Waukegan Veterans Parade and Ceremony

Waukegan Veterans Day Parade traveled from Genesee and Grand through Washington and West streets ending at the Veterans Memorial honoring all of our brothers and sisters that have served our country. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

The Waukegan High School Marching Band walked in the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade, respecting those who fought and or gave their lives for our free country. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

The Waukegan High School Marching Band walked in the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade, respecting those who fought and or gave their lives for our free country. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

The Waukegan High School JROTC showed their respect by honoring Veterans by walking in the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Jerry Kelly, Master Sgt of the Air Force jamming on the guitar during the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Isabella Burleson, 4 of Waukegan, riding on the back of the D.A.R.E. float during the Waukegan Veterans Day Paradey. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

VFW post 1293, riding in the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade and participating in the Veterans Ceremony afterward. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Waukegan Mayor Robert Sabonjian, walking in the Veterans Day Parade and honoring Veterans in the Ceremony that takes place after the Parade. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Shaylee Howard, 4 of Waukegan, enjoying her freedom at the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

John Jose donating to Veterans, collecting is Laverne Calcari, and Anthony Calcari, age 15, whom are distributing Poppies at the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Lloyd Cunningham, First Sgt. and Senior Vice Commander of the American Legion, speaks during the Veterans Day Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Matthew Burleson of Waukegan, speaks during the Veterans Day Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Waukegan Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony brought great crowds to show their respect to Veterans, honoring those that fought and or gave their lives to preserve our nations freedom. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Robert Wave, 15 of Columbus, Ohio (right) and Hwangchan Yu, 17 of Waukegan High School's JROTC, stand in the Veterans Day Ceremony in Waukegan. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Waukegan High School Marching band member Josh Hummel, age 17, playing "Taps" at the end of the Waukegan Veterans Day Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Members of the Waukegan High School JROTC salute the Veterans, Police, and Fire Fighters at the Waukegan Veterans Day Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Eli Olivares of Waukegan, with wife, Virginia whos brother was killed in WWII, at the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media

Nick Angelopulos 3rd Army WWII (left) talks with Retired Army John Self at the Waukegan Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media