WWII Vet's 101st Birthday Celebrated With Car Parade

TINLEY PARK, IL — A 101-year-old World War II veteran was honored with a parade of dozens of cars in Tinley Park last weekend for his birthday. Karen McDillon, the daughter of Mario Monocchio, said the parade past his home last Saturday lasted for at least a half-hour, and reminded her of when the Patriot Guard Riders honored him a year ago for his 100th.

"It lasted so long," McDillon said. "And my dad was really surprised and thrilled with it."

Monocchio fought in Italy during World War II as a corporal in the United States Army, his daughter said. He's received medals and banners "that fill the wall" for his heroism, and was moved by the long line of cars, motorcycles and police and fire vehicles that rode down his street last weekend.

"We were all moved by it," McDillon said. "He was surprised. He has dementia, but is still talking about it nearly a week later. It broke through the dementia. We couldn't believe how many people came out."

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McDillon said the original plan was to have a large in-person party for her dad's 101st pre-coronavirus pandemic, and the parade was "the only option" they had to make sure the celebration would go on.

"Someone even said it was bigger than the St. Patrick's Day Parade."

Monocchio grew up on the Southeast Side of Chicago and moved to Tinley Park, where his daughter lives, a little less than a decade ago. He's a father of two, grandfather of four and great-grandfather of three.

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