The Village will hold a small ceremony on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th, at three locations dedicated to Bridgeview residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

At Wierzba Park, 78th & Oketo, the Bridgeview Police will post the colors and place a wreath for Corporal Edwin Wierzba, who lost his life in Vietnam on February 5th, 1968

At Muehe Park, 89th & Harlem Avenue, The Bridgeview Fire Department will post colors and lay a wreath for Army Cpl. Mark Muehe, who lost his life in Vietnam on December 5, 1969.

At the Emergency Management Building, 6839 Garden Lane, the Auxiliary police and Bridgeview EMA will post colors and lay a wreath for Carl Vorbeck, who lost his life in the Korean War on September 20, 1950.

DuPage County Relaunches Interactive Veterans Day Portal

As DuPage County marks Veterans Day on Nov. 11, the County will provide a virtual gathering place to celebrate veterans again this year.

The County’s Information Technology and Geographic Information System teams created an interactive Veterans Day portal, which can be found at www.dupageco.org/veteran. The site allows residents to create their own Honor Post highlighting their loved one or friend, along with a photo and written tribute.

The website also features quotes, poems, and videos for tribute, educational, and historical information surrounding the Veterans Day holiday.

To visit the virtual Veterans Day portal, please visit www.dupageco.org/veteran.

Veterans Wall to visit New Lenox VFW Nov. 11 – 14

New Lenox, the Will County Veterans Assistance,  and the local VFW Post 9545 and American Legion Post 12977 will all host Veterans Ceremonies including a display of the traveling replica of the Vietnam Moving Wall.

The Village of New Lenox Village Commons, 1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, will host a Veteran’s Day Ceremony beginning at 11 AM.

The Living Wall replica tours the country every year is hosted by the Hartung American Legion Post 1977, 14414 Ford Drive, New Lenox. The Moving will be on display at the American Legion Post 1977 through Nov. 14.

The VFW Post 9545 will also dedicate the addition of purchased Memorial Bricks in honor of Veterans (which are still available for purchase to add a veteran’s name to the walkway). For more information on the Memorial Bricks, visit the website of VFW Post 9545 at https://www.vfwpost9545.org. 

Niles commemorates Veterans Day

Veterans Day Ceremony at the Niles Veterans’ Memorial Waterfall
NOVEMBER 11 @ 11:00 AM

LOCATION
W. Touhy Ave. and N. Milwaukee Ave.
Niles, IL 60714

DESCRIPTION
See the ceremony put together by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3579. All are welcome.
Event cost: Free
Event time: 11 a.m.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: https://www.vniles.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=14162
Age recommendation: Babies, Early Elementary (K-3), Late Elementary (4-5), Preschool, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens

Sauk Village

Veterans Day Parade 2021 in Richton Park
NOVEMBER 06 @ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

LOCATION
Village of Richton Park
4455 Sauk Trail
Richton Park, IL 60471

DESCRIPTION
The parade will begin at Southfield College Prep and move east on Sauk Trail to Richton Park Metra Commuter Lot. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m.
Event cost: Free
Event time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: https://m.facebook.com/events/2968788900101316
Age recommendation: Early Elementary (K-3), Late Elementary (4-5), Preschool, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens

Tinley Park Veterans celebrations

Veterans Day Ceremony
Join the Village of Tinley Park and the Tinley Park Veterans Commission in honoring our nation’s military heroes during a virtual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony will be closed to the public but will be broadcast live on the Village’s Facebook page starting at 10:55 a.m.

Tinley Park American Legion Post 615 and the V.F.W. Post 2791 color guard will raise the colors at 11 a.m., followed by a rifle salute and bugle sound to the colors. Tinley Park Marine Corps League 1217 Kevin Clarke Detachment will post colors.

The ceremony will feature remarks by Veterans Commission Chairperson Dr. W. Douglas Rasmussen III, D.C., Tinley Park Mayor Jacob Vandenberg and former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who will receive the Col. David G. Seaman Volunteer Veterans Recognition Award.

Select Andrew High School band members, under the direction of Mark Iwinski, will perform the National Anthem. Other highlights will include the presentation of colors, the announcement of this year’s Plaza Brick Walkway Honorees, and the presentation of artwork to the music department at Andrew High School in appreciation for their dedication to providing music for Veterans Commission events.

To watch, just visit the Village’s Facebook page on the date and time of the event. Viewers will also be able to read a pdf of the event program at TinleyPark.org/VetsDay2020.

All Service Breakfast
A hearty breakfast including juice, coffee and “SOS” (veterans know what that is) is provided to all veterans and their spouses who live in the Village of Tinley Park or who are members of one of the Tinley Park military service organizations.

Veteran volunteer recognition
The Veterans Commission annually honors individuals who have distinguished themselves by volunteering their time to help veterans, and by promoting the ideals of patriotism for which those veterans fought. This award ceremony takes place in conjunction with the Veterans Day Ceremony.

American flags honor veterans
Each month a new American flag is flown on the Village flagpole near the Oak Park Avenue train station at Zabrocki Plaza in memory of a deceased Tinley Park resident who has served our country. Each flag has previously been flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. After being flown for a month, it is taken down and presented to the family along with a framed certificate. Residents who are interested in the program can fill out a Flag Request Form. Proof of service is required with the application.

Paver Brick Program
Friends and family of those in the Armed Forces can honor their heroes by purchasing bricks bearing personalized inscriptions that recognize the military person’s service to our country. These bricks are incorporated into the walkway at the Gen. Patrick E. Rea Veterans Plaza, which sits adjacent to the south entrance of the 80th Avenue Metra train station, 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park. Residents who are interested in purchasing a brick can fill out a Brick Paver Program application. Proof of service is required with the application. The program is open to any individual who is a current or former resident of Tinley Park and has served, or is currently serving, in any branch of the service or is affiliated with any Village veteran organization. Applications are available at Village Hall, V.F.W. Post 2791 and American Legion Post 615.

Veterans Banner Program
The Village of Tinley Park’s Veterans Commission has a Veterans Banner Program, available to honor any individual who is a current or former resident of Tinley Park and has served, or is currently serving, in any branch of the service or is affiliated with any Village veteran organization. Banners honor local veterans by featuring their likeness, name, branch of the military and years of service. Banners cost $150 each and will be displayed in Veterans Plaza and along Timber Drive annually from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. Applications will be due every year on May 1. Banners will be 30 inches wide and 60 inches tall, printed on both sides. Read the Veterans Banner Program Application for submission guidelines or to order a banner for the veteran in your life. Proof of service is required with the application. Applications are available at Village Hall, V.F.W. Post 2791 and American Legion Post 615.

Art in public buildings
The battles and wars fought by Americans have been accurately captured in the paintings and artistic drawings of well-known artists. Some of these are owned by the Veterans Commission and have been displayed at the Vogt Visual Arts Center. Others have been donated to schools, the library, police and fire stations, and the Tinley Park Park District.

‘Voice of Democracy’ contest
Tinley Park students in ninth through 12th grades have an opportunity each year to participate in a contest that tests their writing abilities and patriotism. This program is sponsored by the V.F.W. National Organization, and each annual winner receives a $25,000 scholarship. The Veterans Commission offers support and funding on the local level.

Patriots Pen
Tinley Park students in seventh and eighth grades are eligible to participate in another V.F.W. National program, Patriots Pen. Top national winners of this 300-word essay contest can receive savings bonds of $1,000 to $10,000. The Veterans Commission offers support and funding on the local level.

American Military at War
The Veterans Commission adopts a military unit serving in a war zone or hostile environment. Toiletries and other small items are sent to the soldiers who are unable to receive or buy them due to their service in a combat zone. Although each soldier only receives a small package, it is a useful and thoughtful expression of our support for them for serving our country.

Village of Lyons

The Village of Lyons will host its annual salute to veterans and members of the military serving or who have served on Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2021 from 11 AM until 2 PM at the Lyons Village Halle, 4200 Lawndale Ave, Lyons, IL 60534

The event always includes a large turnout of grateful residents and officials said Village President Christopher Getty.

“We are very proud of the service from our veterans on this important date,” Getty said.

Guardians of Freedom Veterans Day event Orland Park

Illinois Patriots powered by Freedom Initiative Now presents an evening honoring our veterans with Jonathan T. Gilliam.

About this event
The event begins at 5:30pm with an hour of networking and cash bar.

Nick Richmond, local entrepreneur and chairman of Freedom Initiative, CEO of Matrix Home Solutions, President of Grosso University and President of Matrix Properties will discuss the American Dream, the underpinnings of our founding and his vision for the Freedom Initiative.

Keynote speaker Jonathan T. Gilliam is a career public servant with over twenty years of service as a Navy SEAL, FBI Special Agent, Federal Air Marshal, private security contractor, police officer, public speaker, radio host, expert media commentator, and author.

George (Geo) Richter was born and raised in the outer west suburbs of Chicago, IL. Son to a veteran, Geo was born into a life of Bird of Prey rehabilitation through SOAR organization. After working various trade jobs, Geo moved on to pursue a life as a first-generation volunteer to career Firefighter/Paramedic, for which he owes his life to.

George Pearson served our Nation as a sailor and a law enforcement officer. He now chairs the Will County Republicans and Co-Chairs of the Illinois Black Republican Caucus.

Cristian Ionescu is the Senior Pastor of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago Illinois. Born in Romania and living under their Communist era, Cristian fled the country with his wife to start their new life as immigrants in United States. His church is one of the six Romanian-American churches that were defying Gov. Pritzker stay at home order that limited in-worship services to 10 people.

Texas de Brazil salute to Veterans Nov. 8 – Nov. 11

Our Way of Saying Thank You for Your Service!

To receive offer, guest must mention to server before dining and provide military ID. Valid IDs include military ID, DOD ID, DVA ID or DD214 ID. Offer valid for up to 6 guests per table/reservation. Does not include alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic beverages, desserts, tax or gratuity. No cash value. Not valid for lunch, salad-area only dinner or discounted children’s prices. Cannot be combined with any other offers or white gift cards. Dine-in only. Reservations HIGHLY recommended. Valid in the continental United States only.

Please check local restaurant hours as business hours do vary:

Valid Monday, November 8th, 2021 through Thursday, November 11, 2021 during dinner hours of operation only. 

*Locations Include: Addison, Denver, Fairfax, Fort Worth, Houston, Irvine, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Miami-Dolphin, Orlando, Richmond, San Antonio, Sawgrass, Schaumburg & Tampa.

Valid Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 through Thursday, November 11th, 2021 during dinner hours of operation only.

*Locations Include: Albany, Carlsbad, Columbus, Concord, Dallas, Detroit, Fresno, Hallandale Beach, Lexington, Long Island, McAllen, Memphis, Miami Beach, Miami-Dadeland, Oklahoma City, Orland Park, Pittsburgh, Rancho Cucamonga, Rochester, Syracuse, Tacoma, Tulsa, Tyler & Woodmere.

Valid Wednesday, November 10th 2021 through Thursday, November 11th, 2021 during dinner hours of operation only. 

*Locations Include: Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Boise, Buffalo, Hartford, Huntsville, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Oxnard, St. Louis, Westlake & Yonkers.

*Valid Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 & Thursday, November 11th 2021 during dinner hours of operation only.

Locations Include: Woodmere

Click here for a List of More Veterans Day events