Wreaths Across America is a national program which we participated in this year.  You can read more about it here: ====> CLICK HERE <=====

Members of the Oak Lawn Rotary Club, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Ladies’s Auxillary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart invite everyone to a brief wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 11:00 am.

The ceremony will be in conjunction with “Wreaths Across America” a program in which thousands wreaths will be placed simultaneously at memorials nation wide. (For additional information on their program see http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org)

Wreaths will be laid at 3 Oak Lawn Locations. There will be brief comments and laying of wreaths at the Oak Lawn Rotary Club’s 9/11 First Responder Memorial at the Oak Lawn’s Patriot (Metra) Sation at 11:00 sharp. The group will then proceed by foot to the Veteran’s Memorial on the Village Green and lay a wreath there as well. Lastly, they will return to Patriot Station and place a wreath at the Children’s Museum’s “We the People” exhibit.

At each location, a professional bugler will play. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be served inside the station immediately following the event.

Christina Finn of the Ladies Auxillary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart stated, “This year’s Wreaths Across America ceremonies will be held in more than 800 locations placing more than 400,000 Wreaths of Remembrance nation-wide! We are so proud that Memorials in Oak Lawn will receive wreaths as part of this event for the first time.”

Map of where wreaths will be placed

Please plan on stopping by to attend the short ceremony to honor and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. It’s a great event to bring the whole family to.

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003) Please plan on attending to ensure that Oak Lawn never forgets.

At the Governor’s Mansion today, the amazing community effort it took to construct the Oak Lawn Rotary Club’s 9/11 First Responder Memorial was recognized with Oak Lawn being named the recipient of a 2012 Governor’s Hometown Award.  Communities across the state compete for this highly coveted honor, and they remarked today that in recent years they have never had so many applicants.

A few months ago Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen, Oak Lawn Police Commander Art Clark, Public Works Employee Gerald Chickerillo and Dr. Sandra Bury of the Oak Lawn Rotary Club went to Springfield to present the project. The judges were moved to tears at the story of the project and were very touched by what it means to the community.

Recently, the Governor’s Hometown Award Committee asked Oak Lawn to send a small group to make the trip to Springfield today for a reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Oak Lawn Village Clerk Jane Quinlan, Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen, Oak Lawn Police Chief Bill Villanova and Oak Lawn Rotarian Dr. Sandra Bury attended.

The Oak Lawn Rotary Club’s 9/11 First Responder Memorial and the Village of Oak Lawn was recognized as a 2012 Recipient of the Governor’s Hometown Award in the special category of 9/11 Memorials.  The Monumental Team is thrilled and bursting with pride at this great recognition and honor.   The Governor’s Hometown Award signs will be placed prominently around town.

Congratulations Oak Lawn on this wonderful recognition and achievement!

Gerald Chickerillo, of Public Works, quietly flipped the switch last week on a few of the lights which have been installed. The rest will be turned on when the pavers are installed.

Viewing the illuminated Memorial at night under the cold November moon fully reveals the sculputural details. The glow from the bronze and steel creates an ethereal glow that is really inspiring. Photos don’t do it justice. Stop by in the evening and check it out!

Thanks Chick! It looks great!

On Wednesday evening, a visitation will be held at St. Rita of Casica High School, 7740 S. Western Avenue. On Thursday morning at 11:00 am the funeral mass will begin at the same location. Captain Johnson was a graduate of St. Rita High School.

We will never forget the sacrifices of our First Responders and are deeply saddened at the loss of this wonderful Firefighter, husband, father, neighbor and friend to so many.  He died in service to us all.

This photo shows storm water filling the basin at the 9/11 Memorial site in NYC.