Hanover Park to break ground on Veterans Memorial
Hanover Park officials have focused recent efforts largely on future development within the village, but a new effort aims to honor past sacrifices and service.
The Hanover Park Veterans Memorial will be built outside the main entrance of village hall, the highlight being an eternal flame sculpture that will appear to flicker in the night.
“People live their lives and they don't necessarily realize how many veterans live among us,” Trustee Rick Roberts said. “We're not trying to compete with the memorial in Streamwood, we just want to acknowledge them in our own way and say ‘Thank you.'”
In addition to the American flag, flags representing each branch of the military, prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action will be flown.
To incorporate the community while also offsetting part of the estimated $250,000 price tag, veterans and the public can purchase bricks, probably for about $30 apiece, that will become part of the memorial. Several benches will be sold, as well.
Public Works Director Howard Killian said that ever since Lake Street was widened several years ago, officials have floated the idea of sprucing up a dated looking village hall by building some sort of plaza.
Mayor Rodney Craig asked Roberts, who like Craig served in the U.S. Navy, to head up and re-energize the village's Veterans Committee a few years ago.
“Honestly, after I was discharged (in 1985), I got married, moved on with life and just wanted my V.A. home loan,” Roberts said. “It wasn't until recently that I realized how many veterans there are who need help and don't know what's available to them.”
The committee has since stepped up efforts to honor and support veterans. Members now meet regularly and have recognized more than 100 veterans on a plaque. Last year, they arranged for Staff Sgt. Adam Smith of Hanover Park to bring a commemorative American flag on his deployment to Iraq. It now hangs in village hall's board room.
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Memorial Day, though the main entrance will be closed sooner. Visitors will be directed to a door on the west end of the building.
Killian said officials were pleased with project bids, which came in lower than expected. The sculpture itself will cost about $30,000. It's being created by Bruce Niemi, the same sculptor whose “Remembered” piece was installed at Northern Illinois University in memory of the students who died in the Feb. 14, 2008, shootings.
Officials hope to dedicate the memorial on Veterans Day in November, but acknowledge that may be too tight a timetable.
For more information about purchasing a brick or bench, call Killian or Roberts at (630) 823-5600.