The oldest Chicago area Memorial Day Parade stepped off at 111th and Longwood at 10:30 AM(CDT) on Monday, May 27, 2002, in the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago dedicated to the service of America's Veterans but with this added impact.  This year the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade with over 25,000 participants was dedicated by the Grand Marshall (Pat Donovan) to honor all former and current HMM-364 Purple Foxes.

"How did this come to be," you ask?  Our Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan (1stLt 69) a respected member of the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park community, who they recognize as a decorated veteran of the Vietnam era, was participating in the parade planning.   At one of these planning sessions, covered by Grace Kuikman and Gloria Williams of the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park "Villager" newspaper, Pat made a passing comment about a bond which he had established with  Bruce Cader a Marine Infantryman of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, Fifth Marines as a result of a heroic medical evacuation which took place on April 21, 1969, and resulted in Pat being awarded his second Navy Cross .  The thrust of his comments related to Pat's receipt of a gift from Bruce Cader in appreciation and recognition of the thirty first anniversary of the mission.  The package contained four bottles of Dry Creek Vineyards wine wrapped carefully in Marine-green socks.  A note therein read, "As my reflection on April 21, 1969 and of the "Semper Fi" bond between Bravo 1/5 "Bushmaster" and HMM-364 Purple Foxes "Swift Medevac."

Pat further stated, "In the Donovan Family kitchen, mounted on the wall is an Eagle, Globe and Anchor carved from Monkey Pod and presented to me as a gift from the poetic heart of Purple Fox Maintenance Officer, 1stLt. Courtney "Snake Shit" Payne, and about that EGA welcoming all to admire: the note from "Bushmaster" Bravo 1/5 attached to the Marine green combat socks.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of my Purple Foxes, Bravo 1/5 and all Marines everwhere."

Before long, organizers of the City of Chicago's Memorial Day Parade, scheduled for May 25th, asked Pat Donovan to participate in recognition of the "Purple Foxes" for their function also.

Pat sent word to all former, and current, members of HMM-364 to join with him in both celebratory parades.  Below are those former Marines who answered the call and represented all current and former Purple Foxes in both the City of Chicago parade on the 25th and the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park parade on the 27th.
 
 

The festivities on May 25th commenced in Grant Park at Michigan & 9th Street with Pat Donovan, Rich Bianchino and Alderman Jim Balcer participating in a Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the base of the General Logan statue.  General Logan is credited with issuing the order creating Memorial Day.  Alderman Balcer, was a PFC when, as an 81mm mortarman under attack in visibility limited to yards, he and another Marine made five trips up a steep incline under intense enemy fire carrying wounded Marines to a mountain top position for medical evacuation during Operation DEWEY CANYON in the Ashau Valley.  For this heroic achievement throughout February 22nd and 23rd, 1969.  Jim Balcer, in ceremonies held last September 5, 2001, as Alderman of the 11th Ward was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Alderman Balcer also received "three Purple Hearts" during his time in Vietnam.
 
 

The 12:00 Noon step-off of the downtown parade commemorated many events from 60 years ago, such as the Bataan Death March, the Code Talkers, and many other significant milestones in our history to include the illustrious legacy of HMM-364 and you, the Purple Foxes.

When the parade stepped out you were well represented by the banner bearers, they haven't stood as tall or erect in years, they even pulled their gut in a bit.  You would have been proud of them!   The Purple Fox parade unit proudly came to a momentary halt in front of the Mayoral Reviewing Stand occupied by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Alderman Jim Balcer and Commissioner Theresa Petrone.  Then, the Master of Ceremonies, Major General John L. Borling, USAF (Ret) and a POW for 6 1/2 years in Hanoi, read the following:
 
 

Whereupon Pat Donovan and Richard Bianchino, accompanied by Colonel Brian J. Quirk, USMC (Ret) of Bravo Company 2nd Battalion Carlson's Raiders veteran of the August 17, 1942 Makin Island Raid, were welcomed onto the Mayoral Reviewing stand.  Pat Donovan, walked up to Mayor Daley and said, "Mr. Mayor, on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Scott and all the Marines of the Purple Fox Squadron, these gifts are presented to each of you with Best Wishes to the people of the City of Chicago, OooRah!"   Pat presented Mayor Daley and Alderman Balcer each a Purple Fox hat.  Pat then presented two of his personal items, a Purple Fox Challenge Coin and an embroidered Purple Fox golf shirt to Alderman Jim Balcer.  Pat then stepped next to the Master of Ceremonies, Major General Borling and proclaimed, "I have been authorized by Lieutenant Colonel Scott, the Purple Fox Squadron C.O. at Camp Pendleton, to tell you that by order of the Commanding Officer, Mayor Daley (who was a Marine Reservist) and Alderman Jim Balcer are hereby made 'Honorary Purple Foxes', OoooRah Marines."

The parade resumed and the Purple Fox contingent proudly marched on.

On the 27th, as mentioned before, the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Memorial Day Parade with over 25,000 participants was dedicated by the Grand Marshals (Pat Donovan shared this position with all who marched for HMM-364).  The Parade went very well, the weather was perfect and the community turned out in large numbers, showing great appreciation for The Purple Foxes, The United States Marine Corps and for all Armed Forces of "this land of the free and home of the brave."  It was a great day, with Jerry Skibinski, Rich Bianchino, Warren R. Smith and Pat Donovan in the Grand Marshall team bearing The Purple Fox banner and proudly wearing our Purple Fox covers.  Bravo 1/5 was represented by Bruce Cader and John Wheeler.  It was a great moment for the USMC and the Air-Ground team.
 
 

Richard Bianchino relates, "Pat really represented the Purple Foxes well, he made a distinctly favorable impression on all those who he met."  The community of Beverly Hills/Morgan Park also impressed the Foxes who were present.  This might best be described by a letter which Warren R. Smith wrote to Pat and was subsequently published in the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park "Villager" newspaper.
 
 
 

Information provided by:
    Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan, former Maj. USMCR
    Richard L. "Rich" Bianchino, LtCol. USMC (Ret)
    Warren R. Smith, former Cpl. USMC