Inverness dedicates veterans memorial

It's been almost three years since the Giannopoulos family lost a son in Iraq, and now a memorial dedicated to the fallen serviceman stands in Inverness.

Marine Cpl. Peter J. Giannopoulos, 22, was killed in action on Veteran's Day 2004. Shortly afterward, officials in the village started planning a monument to honor him.

Close to 200 people showed up Saturday afternoon for the dedication of the Inverness Veteran's Memorial. Although it's meant as a tribute to people in all branches of the military, the structure is dedicated to Giannopoulos.

"All he wanted was to be a good Marine," his father John told the crowd. "These young men who volunteer are not doing it for fame or fortune."

Along with Inverness Mayor Jack Tatooles, U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk and Melissa Bean spoke at the event, stressing the importance of local memorials.

Plaques and creeds from each branch of the armed forces are part of the exhibit.

"It's great that we are honoring those who served," longtime Inverness resident Laurie Martinez said. "It's important to show our support."

She and her husband, Tom, donated money toward the memorial, and Martinez says it's moving to be part of an event like this.

Giannopoulos' name already appears on the Palatine war memorial and on a plaque at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion in Des Plaines, where he was born and lived until sixth grade. He attended Fremd High School, and his parents live in Inverness.

He decided as a high school senior to enlist in the Marines.

In 2005, his family established a memorial scholarship at Fremd in his name.

"We appreciate this and it means more to us than people will ever know," John Giannopoulos said. "All we have left of Peter are memories."

More than $250,000 in private donations were collected for the memorial, which sits just east of village hall, near Baldwin Road and Northwest Highway.