CLC Veterans Memorial receives $5,000 donation from military group

The College of Lake County's Veterans Memorial Monument project has received a $5,000 matching grant from the local chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, a veterans service organization that supports patriotic education, ROTC and JROTC, Scouting, monuments and memorials, law and order and national and homeland security programs.

Its members include active duty, retired and former commissioned or warrant officers of the uniformed services of the United States.

Wayne J. Maczko, an Army veteran and HVAC mechanic in the CLC facilities department, originated the monument idea in 2006. He has worked with college staff and the CLC Foundation on the monument's design and fundraising, coordinating a dozen fundraising events to raise money for the memorial.

Fundraising began in October 2007 to construct a Veterans Memorial Monument on the CLC Grayslake campus next to Willow Lake, between the C Wing and Library/Learning Resource Center. Construction on the monument started in fall 2008.

It features the seals of all five branches of the U.S. military, three lighted flagpoles and up to 3,000 engraved bricks. An engraved granite marker was added in 2010. Plans call for the addition of a life-sized bronze sculpture that depicts a member of the Armed Forces paying his respects at the grave of a fallen hero.

Since 2008, the CLC Veterans Memorial Task Force has coordinated an annual Memorial Day ceremony at the site, which serves as a lasting tribute to veterans and current members of the armed forces.

Community members who would like to honor a service member or veteran may purchase an engraved brick for $50. The 4-by-8-inch paver bricks are engraved to honor a service member, and can include the name, rank, branch of service and dates of service.

To order a brick or make a tax deductible contribution, contact the College of Lake County Foundation at (847) 543-2091. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/vets.