Westmont, Illinois -- Date Issued: May 23, 2022
“We feel it is important to let people know that freedom isn’t free, and that freedom too often comes with great sacrifice,” said Westmont American Legion Commander Frank Trout. “It is my honor to present our first Westmont American Legion Americanism Award to Marcel Levesque, who served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. Marcel, we thank you for your service.”
Levesque, who was recently honored at the 2022 Westmont Community Awards Banquet, will be featured in this year’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 30 in downtown Westmont. The parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will travel south on Cass Avenue starting at Naperville Road, and then head east on Richmond Street. The parade will end with a Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, 75 E. Richmond Street, and include a special presentation to Marcel Levesque.
During World War II, Levesque served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bunker Hill in the Pacific. While covering the invasion of Okinawa, Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikazes in quick succession, setting the vessel on fire. Casualties exceeded 600, including 352 confirmed dead, and an additional 41 missing, with 264 wounded. These were the second heaviest personnel losses suffered by any carrier to survive the war.
Marcel and his wife Theresa moved to Westmont in the 1960’s and he became the President of the Bank of Westmont. Marcel was instrumental in a number of community projects including the creation of CUSD 201, a founding member of the Westmont Chamber of Commerce in 1974, member of the Police & Fire Commission from 1988 to 1999, founded Westmont’s first Salvation Army unit, and he was even inducted into the Illinois State Softball Hall of Fame. He and his wife were honored in 2014 when they received the Key to the Village.
The Village of Westmont encourages everyone to attend the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony as we honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Military.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280 - lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
