Arlington Heights, IL, May 23, 2026 — After 23 years of setting up barricades, handing out runners’ bibs, and hoping for good weather, SALUTE, INC. is flipping the script and hosting an Honor and Remember Pancake Breakfast on May 23 rather than their Memorial Day Weekend run and walk.
“It was a 5K race that launched SALUTE as an organization as a way to honor and remember the service of local military members,” said Beiersdorf. “This breakfast represents a community that truly cares about our military and their families. If it is miles run or pancakes eaten, the important part is that we are together making a difference.”
The Honor and Remember Pancake Breakfast will be sponsored by American Legion Post 208 Family. SALUTE will continue with traditional opening ceremonies from their races including the National Anthem sung by Torron Crawford, greetings and announcements from radio personality Bonnie Greene, and a moment of prayer all beginning at 8:45. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, coffee and more will be served from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Legion Hall, 121 North Douglas Avenue in Arlington Heights. Tickets are $15 for anyone 13 and over, and $10 for 12 and under.
“People used to carb-load the day before the race,” said SALUTE Executive Director Mary Beth Beiersdorf. “Now that’s the main event!”
Since its inception, SALUTE has provided over $9 million in direct financial assistance to more than 26,000 U.S. veterans, military service personnel, and their families.
SALUTE is making customized yard signs available to honor current service members or to remember veterans. Signs should be ordered by May 6th and can be picked up at the breakfast for display on Memorial Day and subsequent holidays. Signs and tickets to the pancake breakfast can be ordered at https://e.givesmart.com/events/NwC/.
“We’ve had such a great time over the years with our races, but we thought it might be time to change the miles to smiles this year,” Beiersdorf said. “We’re hoping for a big turnout of hungry supporters.”
To learn more about SALUTE, INC., visit www.saluteinc.org.
SALUTE, INC. is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Palatine, Illinois that is dedicated to meeting the financial, physical, and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans, and their families. Through a variety of fundraising efforts — including its group of charity runners, Team SALUTE — the organization provides service members and veterans with support for housing, utility bills, car expenses, groceries, and other short-term financial needs. In 2022, SALUTE, INC. was awarded the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, which is the highest level of transparency a nonprofit can receive from Candid, a company that rates how well nonprofits use their funds. They have also received a perfect 100% 4-Star rating by Charity Navigator.