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FIA-Chicago marks Memorial Day at Arlington Heights parade
The organization participated alongside several Indian American community leaders and representatives of cultural and religious organizations.
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Staff Reporter - Tue, 26, May 2026
- 02:05 EDT
- 20
Indian community leaders and veterans participated in Arlington Heights / Facebook
FIA-Chicago represented the Indian community at the Memorial Day Parade in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on May 25, joining local residents and officials in commemorating U.S. military personnel who died in service.
According to the official release by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the event was held in Arlington Heights, which organizers described as a town that has lost 67 residents in military service.
The organization said Memorial Day serves as a reminder to honor those “who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom” and described the observance as a day of “gratitude, reflection, and tribute to the brave men and women whose sacrifices safeguard our future.”
FIA-Chicago participated alongside several Indian American community leaders and representatives of cultural and religious organizations. Those attending included FIA President and Founder and President of the Sanatan Ecosystem Hemant Patel; FIA Trustee Rakesh Malhotra from Sewa International and Global Indian Diaspora; Rajendra Thakkar from Shree Jalaram Mandir; Dipali Sawant and members of Maharashtra Mandal; FIA Executive and OF-BJP Coordinator Amar Upadhyay; entrepreneur Sanjay Vora representing Ekal Vidyalaya and Vishva Hindu Parishad of America; FIA Executive Anil Singh representing Karni Sena; FIA Executive Yashaswini Desai from Hindu Women Network; and community leaders Yogesh Patel, Kishor Vora and Dixit Vora.
The release said Indian Army Brigadier Navin Ahuja and Indian Army veteran Arvind Ankleshwaria marched alongside FIA-Chicago during the parade. Ankleshwaria is also associated with Shree Hanuman Mandir and serves as an FIA executive.
According to FIA, both men were recognized by the parade organizing committee along with active and retired officials during the ceremony honoring fallen military personnel.
The organization described the participation of the Indian Army veterans as “a moment of immense pride for the Bharatiya community” and said FIA was appreciated for including them in the event.
Sponsors including MAFS, UMAS and Care for Soul also participated in and supported the program, according to the release.
The Memorial Day observance drew participation from community groups and residents as part of the annual parade held in Arlington Heights to honor military service members killed in the line of duty.
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