Cantigny Park hosts scale model of World War II memorial

Local World War II veterans who would like to pay their respects at the National World War II Memorial but are unable to travel to Washington, D.C., will be able to visit a scale model this weekend in Wheaton.

The scale model of the memorial comes to the First Division Museum at Cantigny at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1S151 S. Winfield Road, Wheaton. The public program is free.

Pillars of Honor, an organization based in Des Plaines, worked with the memorial's architect, Friedrich St. Florian, to secure the original model of the monument that now stands in Washington, D.C.

Since the monument's dedication in 2004, organizations such as Honor Flight have arranged for thousands of World War II veterans to visit the memorial and enjoy a day of camaraderie. However, many are simply unable to make the trip to Washington. According to Pillars of Honor, the average age of surviving World War II veterans is 89 years old.

The scale model to be unveiled at the First Division Museum is a way of bringing the National World War II Memorial to the people it honors. Most importantly, it serves as a visual reminder of the personal sacrifice and service to our country — delivered at a critical time in our nation's history.

Retired Maj. Gen. James H. Mukoyama will speak at the Pillars of Honor event. Mukoyama became the youngest general officer in the U.S. Army in 1987 and subsequently the youngest major general when he received his second star three years later. He was also the first Asian-American in U.S. history to command an Army division.

There is no cost to attend Pillars of Honor and Cantigny will waive its usual parking fee for those attending. Free shuttle transportation from the parking area to the First Division Museum will be available. The scale model will be on display until the museum closes at 5 p.m.

World War II veterans who plan to attend are encouraged to register. The registration form can be downloaded from FirstDivisionMuseum.org. Registration forms should be mailed or faxed to Pillars of Honor following the instructions online. For information, call (847) 954-0520 or email info@pillarsofhonor.org.