Memorial Day observances planned in south, southwest suburbs

Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown (Tinley Park, Ill.)
·5 min read

Observances including parades are scheduled in several south and southwest suburbs, as communities honor those who gave their lives in service to their country.

In Orland Park, the village’s ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the village’s memorial outside of Village Hall, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.

The observance, which will be streamed live on the village’s YouTube channel, includes reading the names of veterans being added to the memorial. Those being added this year are John M. Brucki, Army, 1965 to 1967; Daniel Raymond Chiarito, Army 1966-1968; David James Fitzpatrick, Air Force 1958 to 1961; James George Keating, Air Force 1979 to 1980; James Robert Keating, Marines 2005 to 2009; Jerome Leonard Kwilinski, Army 1953-1955; Walter Joseph Murphy Army 1941-1944 and Thomas E. Trusk, Army 1966-1968.

Tinley Park’s observance will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the Gen. Patrick E. Rea Veterans Plaza, just south of the 80th Avenue train station at 18001 S. 80th Ave.

The event will include patriotic music by the Tinley Park Community Band, short speeches, a wreath-laying ceremony and a gun salute.

Hosted by the Tinley Park Veterans Commission, the event will be livestreamed on the village’s Facebook page.

Other communities are also holding observances.

Alsip: A ceremony will be at noon Monday at Alsip VFW Post 450, 11800 S. Cicero Ave.

Blue Island: The city’s observance, organized by American Legion Post 50, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Park, 12750 Highland Ave. Blue Island Mayor Fred Bilotto will deliver remarks and refreshments will be served.

Calumet City: A military appreciation lunch will be held at noon Wednesday at the city’s Fire and Police Training Center, State Street and State Line Road, and all veterans are welcome to attend.

Chicago Heights: A parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at East Glengate Road and South Coolidge Street, then follow a route east on Glengate to Chicago Road and south on Chicago Road to Joe Orr Road, then west to Dixie Highway then south on Dixie and ending at Dixie and 10th Street.

Crete: A Memorial Day service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Crete Park, 515 First St., followed by a parade that will begin at noon at the park continue along Main Street to Burville Road.

Flossmoor: The village’s participation in Taps Across America takes place at 3 p.m. Monday at the traffic circle in the village’s downtown.

There will be a moment of silence and there will be performances by the Homewood-Flossmoor High School band and Bel Canto Community Choir.

Frankfort: The Frankfort VFW Post 1493 is organizing the village’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at Breidert Green at Kansas and White streets in downtown Frankfort. The Hickory Creek Middle School band and orchestra will perform.

Lansing: The Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard will host a ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday at the veterans memorial at Lansing Municipal Airport, southeast corner of Burnham Avenue and Glenwood-Lansing Road.

Matteson: A parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Main and 215th streets, ending at Memorial Park, 212th Place and Turner Avenue. There will be a Memorial Day ceremony at the park followed by a battle of the bands.

Mokena: The William Martin VFW Post 725 will hold a Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Pioneer Cemetery, Wolf Road and Denny Street.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place at the VFW Post, 19825 Wolf Road, and free hot dogs will be served after the event.

Oak Forest: The city will observe Memorial Day at 11 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial, 15440 S. Central Ave., outside City Hall.

Oak Lawn: Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 will hold an observance at 11 a.m. Monday at the Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial, 9427 S. Raymond Ave.

Palos Heights: The Palos Heights VFW Post 2604 will hold an observance at 11 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive.

Park Forest: American Legion Post 1198 will hold a remembrance ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at the Village Green, 349 Main St. Following the ceremony, an open house will be held for the Park Forest Veteran’s Closet and Resource Center.

South Chicago Heights: A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the South Chicago Heights Veterans Memorial Mound, Enterprise Park Avenue and Sauk Trail.

South Holland: A parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at South Park Avenue and 170th Street and continue to Veterans Memorial Park, at South Park and 160th Place. There was ceremony will feature performances by the South Holland Master Chorale, South Holland Municipal Band and the Chicago Christian High School band.

University Park: A ceremony will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the village’s Veterans Wall, 90 Town Center, with music and refreshments available.

St. Xavier University: The university is partnering with the McCarthy Brigade for a special flag-raising ceremony. Former and current Saint Xavier student veterans will help to carry and raise the flag to honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military.

The event will be held at the entrance to the Warde Academic Center on Saint Xavier University’s campus, at 3700 W. 103rd Street in Chicago, at 3 p.m. on Monday.

The McCarthy Brigade is a local group named after a World War II hero from Chicago’s Beverly community.