Orland Park Commission to salute Veterans

The Village of Orland Park Veterans Commission has three important dates for the community to remember — October 6, November 5 and November 10.

Friday, October 6 is the last day to add a veteran’s name to the village’s memorial in time for this year’s Veterans Day observances. Veterans may be living or deceased and need not live in Orland Park. The $250 cost to add a vet’s name covers the cost of engraving and memorial maintenance. Learn more on the village’s website by clicking here.

“The village’s veterans commission has been very busy with adding names to the village’s memorial, planning its annual steak fry and putting together a full agenda for Orland Park’s observance of Veterans Day on November 10th,” said Mayor Keith Pekau.

Orland Park Veterans commemorate Veterans Day. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park

The Veterans Commission will hold its 18th annual Veterans Steak Fry on Sunday, November 5 at the Orland Park Civic Center. Open to all Orland Park veterans, the steak fry includes the meal, wine, beer and soft drinks for $12 per person. Non Orland Park veterans must be members of an Orland Park veteran organization. Advance tickets must be purchased at the cashier’s office at the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. Tickets will not be available at the door.

The commission will observe Veterans Day on Friday, November 10 with an Illinois National Guard helicopter landing at the John Humphrey Sports Complex, 14700 West Avenue.

“Orland Park has been a community partner for the US Department of Defense’s nationwide observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War,” said Trustee Jim Dodge. “The village has hosted events and programs for the past few years and it all culminates on November 10th with our recognizing and thanking all Vietnam Vets, the helicopter landing and visits, and our guests from the French government.”

The static air display, namely the helicopter on the ground, will begin with the 9:30 a.m. landing. A MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) type tent and vintage military vehicles will be positioned along the field #4 foul line beyond the fence at Humphrey. The helicopter will be open to the public from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The best area to view the landing will be from the rise on the west side of the Humphrey Complex West Avenue parking lot and right field of field #1.

The village’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial outside of the village hall at 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. It is during the ceremony that the newly added veterans’ names are announced as the veteran or family and friends stand as the audience applauds.

Orland Park’s ceremony includes honoring and recognizing the French government and its people to thank them for their support in hosting the Paris Peace Accord and helping to end the Vietnam War.

French Deputy Consul General Frederic Chloe will be the village’s guest with the ceremony including both the national anthems for the United States and France.

“We will honor and recognize Vietnam Era veterans and their families, thanking them for their service and sacrifice,” said Village Veterans Liaison Tom Dubelbeis. “We will also honor and recognize the French government and its people, thanking them for their support with hosting the Paris Peace Accord and helping to end the Vietnam War.”

Questions about the commission’s events may be directed to 708/403-6115.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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