Retired Marine calls for preserve honoring veterans

After two tours in Vietnam and having worked for the federal government, Mike Decker of Zion knows how bureaucracy works.

So despite a request that may take years, if ever, to gain support, he regards a recent meeting with officials of the Lake County Forest Preserve District with gratitude.

"At least they're talking to me, which makes me happy," said Decker. "My main concern is that there is interest and there is discussion."

For a long time, Decker, the third in command as junior vice commandant of the Department of Illinois Marine Corps League, has considered asking that veterans be honored in the forest preserves.

In his travels, Decker says, he has seen many counties that dedicate a park or preserve to veterans. Throughout Lake County, he says, there are parks and memorials honoring veterans in several communities.

"The esteem and respect for the veterans of Lake County (past and present) must be honored as open land is purchased and preserved," he wrote in an open letter to forest preserve commissioners.

"The Lake County Forest Preserve should seriously consider naming and developing a forest preserve or section of one of the larger established preserves as 'Veterans Park or Preserve.'"

Decker, a self-described "nature freak," complimented the forest district on its "Herculean efforts" to preserve land but said he was disappointed in the naming of the preserves.

He was not on hand, but the letter was discussed recently by the board's executive advisory committee.

Forest preserves usually are named after a historical or natural feature, though there are exceptions. Van Patten Woods near Wadsworth, for example, honors David Van Patten, the forest district's first president.

"That's been the overall policy the past five to 10 years. We try to educate the public on a natural feature of the site," said Tom Hahn, the district's executive director.

Commissioners seemed reluctant to rename an existing preserve or name a new one to honor veterans.

"If we start doing this here we get on that slippery slope again and then the next group wants the same thing," said Commissioner Carol Calabresa of Libertyville at the time.

Carving out a portion of an existing preserve, such as Fort Sheridan, could be a possibility, however.

"We don't have a veterans memorial or designated area where veterans can quietly reflect," Decker said. "Nothing flamboyant." A centrally located area would be preferable, he added.

He said he'd be willing to work with veterans organization or other groups to raise money. He met earlier this week with Hahn and Calabresa and was asked to gather more information.

The subject could be re-examined in June, Hahn said.