Wreaths Across America 12/15/12 Oak Lawn, IL Metra “Patriot Station”

December 14, 2012 by
12/15/12 Wreaths Across America Oak Lawn, IL

12/15/12 Wreaths Across America Oak Lawn, IL

The Oak Lawn IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter # 575 & Ladies Auxiliary   along with the Patriotic Pillow Project, would like to welcome community citizens one and ALL to participate in the 2012 Oak Lawn Wreaths Across America Ceremony. This year WAA will be presented at more than 800 locations, placing more than 400,000 Wreaths of Remembrance.  If you are Not near Oak Lawn listed below are all the varying locations and opportunities to participate. May your Christmas be Merry and may your New Year be Healthy & Safe. RESPECTFULLY Remembering, The “Pillow MOM!”

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992.

Oak Lawn Patriot Station 911 Memorial & The Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial - ILOLVM Oak Lawn IL   Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at 11 am

 

Our Ceremony of Honor & Remembrance will begin promptly at 11:00 am on December 15th, 2012 with a Color Guard, Pledge, Singing & of course Wreath Laying Ceremony, and “TAPS” performed by our volunteer Mr. Larry Buttimer of “Bugles Across America!”  Following the three site locations, Patriot Station Oak Lawn *Metra Station locations where the Oak Lawn 1st Responders Memorial is, The Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial adjacent to the O.L. Public Library on the Green 95th street, and the Children’s Museum 5100 Museum Drive O.L. we will be providing a social Hot Chocolate & Cookie clutch.  Come out and meet your neighbors, and learn more about the “Price of FREEDOM!”

Please wear comfortable shoes and be dressed for the weather conditions.  For those whom cannot or choose not to visit all three sites, our social site will be available for you to relax at. www://Thepillowmom.com

http://www.facebook.com/PatrioticPillowProject/events

Volunteer Location Leader: Christina Finn

Telephone: 708-837-4510
E-mail: thepillowlady@gmail.com

 

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Elwood - ILALNE

20953 W. Hoff Rd Elwood IL 60421
Location Graves: 30000
Location Veteran Graves: 30000

Volunteer Location Leader: Debbie Smothers
Telephone: 815-723-6960 815-693-3215 C
E-mail: proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

 Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at 11 am  We have 150 American Flags on 10ft lightweight poles that any Veterans, Military or ROTC are welcome to join in holding.  If interested in that they would arrive shortly before 10am and to Tom who will be just south of the main flag pole area.  He will give out the poles & tell people where to go.  Anyone interested in helping to place wreaths please sign in at the volunteer tent before the ceremony and they will be told what section to go to afterwards.  The ceremony will last around 20 minutes and any wreaths will be placed after that.  There are currently over 31,000 Veterans buried here and we only have a little over 4500 wreaths to place.  We are a long way from our goal of having a wreath for every grave, but the number of wreaths keeps growing each year.  We offer a free luncheon to any and all attendees which will be held at the Stone City VFW 124, Stone City Drive, Joliet, IL following the ceremony. I suggest everyone arrive a little early for the ceremony due to parking & volunteer sign up.  Also, please dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Rock Island National Cemetery Rock Island - ILRINR

Arsenal Bldg 118 Rock Island IL 61299
Location Graves: 22373
Location Veteran Graves: 15000
We will gather at 11 am on Saturday, December 15th at the main flag pole at the cemetery for the Wreath Laying ceremony.  The Civil Air Patrol Cadets with current and former members of our military will place the ceremonial wreaths at the flag pole for each of the services.  This year Major General Kendall Penn, 1st US Army will be the key note speaker and will place a wreath honoring all past and present members of the Armed Services.  We will then place wreaths at random sites of our Fallen.

Volunteer Location Leader: Thomas Nielsen 

Telephone: 309-716-8620
E-mail: il008@mediacombb.net

Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial Marseilles - ILMEC

200 River Front Dr Marseilles IL 61341
Location Graves: 6345 Names
Location Veteran Graves: 6345 Names
Wreaths Across America Memorial will be held Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at 11 AM at the Middle East Conflicts wall in Marseilles, IL  You can check out the website at:  www.ilfreedomrun.com

Volunteer Location Leader: Craig Herkes 

Telephone: 815-462-5932 H / 630-638-8032 C
E-mail: cherkes@chdeli.com

Nix Judy Cemetery Edwardsville - ILNJCE

Hwy 157 Edwardsville IL 62025
Location Graves: 58
Location Veteran Graves: 8
The General George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will be honoring our veterans on Saturday, December 15th, 2012 at the Nix-Judy Pioneer Cemetery near Edwardsville, IL.  The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 am local time in order to be synchronized with hundreds of other Wreaths Across America events occurring simultaneously across America.  Ours will be a small ceremony, as the cemetery has not been used since about 1835 and contains only nine known graves of veterans – six from the Revolution and three from the War of 1812.  We will, of course, also be honoring those who served in all wars since as well as those who are now wearing the uniforms of their national.  Participating in extending honors will be members of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Illinois Society of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Children of the American Revolution.  Veterans, members of the Armed Services, and the general public are welcome.

Volunteer Location Leader: Charles Dobias 

Telephone: 618-594-8273
E-mail: dobiascd@aol.com

Mound City National Cemetery Mound City - ILMNMC

141 State Hwy 37 Mound City IL 62963
Location Graves: 9000+
Location Veteran Graves: 7500+
We are hosting the Wreaths Across America program this Saturday, December 15th at 11 am at the cemetery.

Volunteer Location Leader: Becky Kleckner 

Telephone: 618-521-5228
E-mail: bekec12@gmail.com

Military Memorial Tuscola - ILMMTL

Douglas County Courthouse 401 South Center St Tuscola IL 61953
Wreaths Across America

Opening Ceremonies Saturday, December 15th, 2012 Douglas County Courthouse  –  10 am

The Civil Air Patrol Squadron 328 will be participating at the Douglas County Courthouse in Tuscola at 10 am.  After the ceremony the Cadets will go to the cemetery to lay the remaining wreaths.  We welcome all that would like to come to the event.

Volunteer Location Leader: April Kauffman
Telephone: 217-369-5480
E-mail: adk217@yahoo.com


Illinois Valley Area Ceremony La Salle - ILPPLS

Location Graves: Ceremony held at Veterans home and the wreaths are laid at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens La Salle Veterans Home

1015 O’Conor Avenue, La Salle, ILCeremony will begin at 11 am.  Immediately following the ceremony we will go to Forest Lawn Cemetery, 552 U.S. Route 6, La Salle, IL to lay wreaths.  We would welcome as much help as we can get at the cemetery as we have 500+ wreaths to lay.

Volunteer Location Leader: Toni Lucas 

Telephone: 270-703-9799
E-mail: teddibera@gmail.com

Alton National Cemetery Alton - ILANCA 

600 Pearl St Alton IL 62002
Location Graves: 540
Location Veteran Graves: 540
We will be laying 500 wreaths at the Alton National Cemetery at 600 Pearl Street in Alton on Saturday, December 15h, 2012 at 11 am.  Our service will start promptly at 11 am and will last a little less than 30 minutes. 

Volunteer Location Leader: Margaret Hopkins
Telephone: 618-474-2005
E-mail: hopkins1014@sbcglobal.net

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Schaumburg - ILSTPL

202 East Schaumburg Rd Schaumburg IL 60194
Location Veteran Graves: 73
Wreaths Across America – Schaumburg, IL

December 15th 2012  — 11 am

St. Peter Church

202 East Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL  60194 A short indoor ceremony with posting of the Colors and some short speakers followed by the placing of the wreaths.  Afterwards, we will come back inside for food and refreshments. 

Volunteer Location Leader: Brendan Seyring
Telephone: 847-651-6895
E-mail: schaumburgwreaths@gmail.com

Rankin Veterans Memorial Monument Rankin - ILRVMM

Rankin IL 60960
Volunteer Location Leader: Brenda Mundell 
Telephone: 765-447-2728
E-mail: brenjmu@aol.com

Naval Station Great Lakes Cemetery Great Lakes – ILNSGL

2601 E Paul Jones St Great Lakes IL 60088
Location Graves: 200+
Location Veteran Graves: 200+
Volunteer Location Leader: Valerie McDonald 
Telephone: 313-410-7170
E-mail: nwcamcdonald@yahoo.com

St. George Catholic Cemetery Bourbonnais - ILSGCB

5272 East 5000 North Rd Bourbonnais IL 60914 

Location Graves: 1200
Location Veteran Graves: 54
Volunteer Location Leader: Mary Ann Kingsnorth 
Telephone: 815-370-2297
E-mail: mimk05@aol.com

Glendale Cemetery Washington - ILGCWI

301 Walnut St Washington IL 61571 

Location Graves: 6631 

Location Veteran Graves: 646 

Volunteer Location Leader: Carol Moss 

Telephone: 309-444-9076 

E-mail: joeeagle@frontier.com

K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home Fox Lake - ILKKHF

Fox Lake IL 60020
Volunteer Location Leader: Mike Carroll 
Telephone: 847-587-2100
E-mail: hamsher1212@sbcglobal.net

Quincy National Cemetery Quincy - ILQNCQ

36th & Main St Quincy IL 62301
Location Graves: 700+
Location Veteran Graves: 700+
Volunteer Location Leader: Teresa Pickle 
Telephone: 217-222-9571
E-mail: gaptip@sbcglobal.net 

Sunset Cemetery at Veterans Home Quincy - ILSVHQ

1705 North 12th Quincy IL 62301
Location Graves: 5000+
Location Veteran Graves: 5000+
Volunteer Location Leader: Teresa Pickle 
Telephone: 217-222-9571
E-mail: gaptip@sbcglobal.net

Korean War/ Vietnam Memorial Bloomington - ILKVMB

Miller Park Bloomington IL 61701
Volunteer Location Leader: Larry Wilder 
Telephone: 309-766-6954
E-mail: larry.wilder.a5gy@statefarm.com

Danville National Cemetery Danville - ILDNCD

1900 E. Main Danville IL 61832
Location Graves: 11200
Location Veteran Graves: 8000
Volunteer Location Leader: David Switzer 
Telephone: 217-497-6682
E-mail: dswitzer112@gmail.com

Camp Butler National Cemetery Springfield - ILCBNS

5063 Camp Butler Rd Springfield IL 62707
Location Graves: 23000
Location Veteran Graves: 23000
Volunteer Location Leader: David McKnelly 
Telephone: 217-415-6464
E-mail: david_mcknelly@att.net

DAV #60 covers Mount Hope & Funks Grove & etc McLean - ILDAV60

McLean IL
Volunteer Location Leader: Cleo Jordan 
Telephone: 309-874-2717
E-mail: dav60cleo@aol.com

 

Springdale Cemetery Peoria - ILSCPE

3014 N Prospect Rd Peoria IL 61603
Location Graves: 70000
Location Veteran Graves: unknown (around 500)
Volunteer Location Leader: Jon Austin 
Telephone: 309-681-1400
E-mail: jon@springdalecemetery.com

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ 

 

Filed Under: 911 Remembrance, Main Page, Memorial, MOPH & Veteran News!, National News, Wreaths Across America Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

National MOPH Commander’s 911 message

September 11, 2012 by
911

911

As a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, each year since that tragic day, I have had many opportunities to consider and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. With the possible exception of a few incidents at the onset of WWII, our homeland has been mercifully spared the physical scars of war. Yes, America’s sons and daughters have been asked to put themselves in harm’s way on many occasions since our Nation’s birth, but always in another land, and usually in an effort to prevent the genocide of another people or ethnic group.

But, the attacks on the World Trade Center twin towers, the Pentagon, and the intended attack on the US Capital Building on September 11, 2001, brought the war against international terrorism to our own shores. For those cowards who perpetrated this vile act, it was a miscalculated and grave mistake! Rather than achieving their objective to coerce

or demoralize the nation, or persuade the people to turn against the government’s conduct of the war on terrorism, their cowardly attack on defenseless civilian men, women and children had the exact opposite effect — for the first time since World War II, our nation was united against a common but hidden enemy.

Another effect these cowards could never have calculated was that, for the first time since the Vietnam War, our nation was able to separate the War from the Warrior, and has coalesced America’s unwavering support for our young servicemen and women who are fighting to protect the very freedoms we all enjoy. In fact, many of these young military personnel are the sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans, and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support and encouragement of a grateful nation. In my position as National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, I come into contact daily, not only with those combat wounded veterans of earlier conflicts, but also with the brave young wounded warriors who have been physically and emotionally scarred while serving their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. I visit with them at Walter Reed, Bethesda and at the VA Polytrauma Centers. I am constantly amazed at their spirit, resilience, and commitment, despite their injuries, to the ideals that make our nation unique and worth fighting for.

Bruce McKenty, National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Filed Under: 911 Remembrance, MOPH & Veteran News!, National News Tagged With: , , , ,

Post 911 Chicago Jobs Opportunity

February 28, 2012 by
277025_366178165909_3637800_n (1)

VETERANS — JOBS FOR POST 911 VETERANS
TIME FRAME: 26WEEKS– $12.00 FOR 20 HOURS PER WEEK
APPLICATION: www.missioncontinues.org go to fellowship — fill out apply for fellow
DEADLINE: March 1st, 2012
Referred by: V-SPANN
JOBS IN CHICAGO

THEN: EMAIL: see instructions below email: susan.powers999@gmail.com (708-267-6002) Susan Powers

Let me know you signed up and how you found out about VSPANN jobs and Vet Tech

YOU ARE REFERRED BY V-SPANN Susan Powers

Our V-SPANN colleague has the Keeling Family Foundation (VET TECH PROJECT) a separate non-profit

HOW TO APPLY RIGHT NOW——-CRITERIA FOR 10 JOBS NOW AND MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE COMING

1. Must be Post 911 Veteran
2. No felony convictions
3. Basic computer keyboard knowledge and simple skills trainable

Here is the info.

The Keeling Family Foundation Vet Tech Project is looking to engage 5 post 911 Veterans via a fellowship from www.missioncontinues.org . The Veterans would be doing community service for the Keeling Family Foundation to get collection sites established in various areas. The veteran will commit to 20 hours a week for a period of 26 weeks. Mission Continues pays the Veteran directly upon proof from the KFF that they fulfilled their objective. Their pay will be approximately $6,000 for the 26 weeks. Their job would consist of spreading the word about our Vet Tech Project via phone and personal visits, to establish collection sites for electronic waste. Please see attached and visit our web sites: www.keelingfamilyfoundation.com and www.vettech.us Let me know what else you need. THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 1st FOR APPLICATIONS!!

5 Post 911 Veterans Fellowships Available for part-time paid work. Consisting of providing community service notification of the Keeling Family Foundation Vet Tech Project of collecting electronic waste to Towns, Villages, Cities, Townships, Universities, Schools, Hospitals and Community Businesses.

— This will move soon. You may contact Marv during the day.

Marvin T. Keeling
Chairman,
Keeling Family Foundation
PO Box 1593
Frankfort, Illinois 60423
708-KEELING(708-533-5464)
keelingfamilyfoundation.com
marvin@keeling.com
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Response from a Warrior!
Miss Finn
It to is amazing what you do as well hats off to you thank you for caring so much about our Veterans. It makes me feel so good that there are people in this country who still care about the job we have done and continue to do. God Bless you.

Ret. USMC SGT. Thiery Will

Filed Under: Main Page, National News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Oak Lawn “Patriot Station?”

January 30, 2012 by
Screen Shot 2012-01-29 at 11.47.01 PM

I’m writing today to ask your support on an issue that would help make Oak Lawn a destination for the region. I have asked Mayor Heilmann to support changing the name of the Metra Station from “Oak Lawn” to “Oak Lawn – Patriot Station.” He is not opposed to a name change, but seeks public input before he would consider proceeding. Your feedback and thoughts on this matter to our Mayor would be much appreciated.

A little background:
The Oak Lawn Rotary Club’s 9/11 First Responder Memorial is still under construction. It incorporates 12.5 tons of steel and concrete from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and the work of Bronze Sculptor Erik Blome. When completed, it will form a pedestrian friendly plaza on the site of the Metra Station and is immediately adjacent to the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, which is visited by approximately 70,000 children each year. It is the largest 9/11 Memorial in Illinois that we know of, in terms of the quantity of beams and quality of the sculpture. It has been constructed with hundreds of donations from residents, institutions and businesses. Hundreds of people donated their time or materials to construct the Memorial. Construction is paused for winter. In the spring the site will be completed with pavers, stone caps for the concrete walls, lighting, signage and a central planting area.

Why Patriot Station?
With the construction of the Memorial, the Metra Station has taken on a new layer of meaning and transcends being just a fine commuter station. As a tribute to our First Responders, it represents the deep respect and appreciation this community has for the many sacrifices of our First Responders of the past, present and future. By having such substantial wreckage from the World Trade Center, it is unique among area Memorials. It is like hallowed ground for visitors and has special meaning to everyone who sees and touches the beams. The bronze sculptures by artist Erik Blome are world class in concept, execution and craftsmanship. It is historic. It is spiritual. It is fine art. It represents the strong feelings of support by hundreds of individuals and businesses in our community. It is no longer a train station, and has become a Patriot Station in the heart of Oak Lawn. It is unique in the Southland.

What a name change means for Oak Lawn:
The name change will give Oak Lawn a special and unique distinction that no other has. A name change to our Metra Station such as this is a huge and wonderful way to get the word out about how special our Village really is. The Memorial is a destination for the region and should be recognized as such on train literature, announcements and maps. It’s a good and beautiful thing to let every traveler know about this unique Memorial to our First Responders. To not do this is a missed opportunity. There is no “down side” to doing this.

As a resident, business owner and community volunteer, I am very proud of what the community has built here. It would be a great distinction for Oak Lawn to have this designation. I feel it is important that we have it. Mayor Heilmann’s support can make it happen. It would be a great thing for the entire Southland, great for Oak Lawn, and would be very meaningful for our First Responders to be recognized as a destination.

Please forward this email to Mayor Heilmann at dheilmann@oaklawn-il.gov with a simple phrase like “I Support Patriot Station in Oak Lawn.” Please do it today! Your comments and feelings are very valuable and much needed at this point in time.

Thank you so much!

Sandra Bury, OD
www.MonumentalOakLawn.com
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Dr Bury,

I whole-heartedly embrace this common sense proposal. You are correct in summarizing the magnitude of this renaming en-devour. We would be remiss as a community to not do the right thing by honoring not only the First Responders, but also too the innocent victims of the three sites here on our Nation’s own Homeland. I would campaign that every resident here in the Village of Oak Lawn would concur and approve of such a measure. You have my total involvement and commitment to this “Patriotic” addition to our metra station name. I will contact Mayor Heilman OL and personally share this Family’s support.

Thank You for sharing this email and up-dateing us with the beautiful photo. Things are progressing Beautifully! I hope to speaking with you after our next Ladies Auxiliary Meeting, about an additional plaque recognition for the site? It would be a perfect fit, however the membership must have a say and vote to approve such an expenditure. I know you understand….

Thank You to all the Rotarians for their focus to enhance our unique and Patriotic Community. Your efforts do not go un-noticed.

I plan on attending the next Village Board meeting February 14th, Hope to see you soon.

Respectfully,

– Christina Finn / The “Pillow MOM”
The Patriotic Pillow Project – Founder / Coordinator

http://thepillowmom.com

www.moph-il.org

Filed Under: 911 Remembrance Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,