The Kankakee Veteran's Council held it's Memorial Day Observance on the Kankakee County Courthouse lawn Monday morning.

John Fulton is president of the council and said it was nice to see so many people in attendance.

"It's wonderful to see; the crowds have gotten bigger the last 2-3 years," the Herscher veteran told WGFA News. "For a guy like me who's been involved in this for 45 years, it feels very good and all the veteran feel happy."

Bourbonnais resident and veteran of four tours in Vietnam, Roger Bean was the guest speaker and he said those who stayed home had the hardest job of all. They worried about their soldier overseas, then tried to help them readjust once they returned.

"The families suffered the most. They bore the scars without knowing why; once they progressed down the road toward healing, they became more aware. And we hope today's Iraq and Afghanistan veterans find it more easier to adjust," Bean said.

The Kankakee County Veteran's Council includes the American Legion Post 85, Kankakee DVA Chapter 34, Kankakee US Marine Corps League Detachment 1253, Kankakee County Veterans' Assistance Commission and Kankakee VFW Post 2857.

{Rob West, 94.1 WGFA News}