Flight 191 memorial dedication set for Oct. 15

Construction of the American Airlines Flight 191 Memorial at Lake Park is complete and the dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 15, beginning at 11 a.m.

The memorial includes a gently curved wall made of individually engraved interlocking bricks, one for each person on the flight and the two individuals who were on the ground. An engraved brass plaque and a red maple tree, chosen by the students of the Decatur Classical School, stand in the plantings behind the wall.

The dedication will begin with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Decatur Classical Color Guard and VFW Post 2992 Color Guard. The Decatur Class of 2009-2010 will then welcome the guests and introduce the guest speakers: Mayor Martin Moylan, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, state Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, and a representative from the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Following the speeches, the Decatur Classical Chicago Children's School Choir, under the direction of Danny Wallenberg, will sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Then, Principal Susan J. Kukielka, Assistant Principal Kimberly Jockl, teachers Elizabeth Allegretti and Marianne Sharping, and the Class of 2009-2010 will recognize the guests in attendance. The children will perform a choral reading entitled, “We Remember Them,” accompanied by Danny Wallenberg on the cello, and read the names of those represented on the wall.

Father Michael Zaniolo, the O'Hare Airport chaplain, will then offer the invocation and sprinkle earth from the original site around the red maple. The choir will perform “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway Musical “Rent,” and the Class of 2010 will have closing words.

Five bagpipers, courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff's Department will play “Amazing Grace.” The Sheriff's Department has also arranged for a flyover by Apache Helicopters.

Hundreds are expected to attend the ceremony at the northwest corner of Touhy Avenue and Lee Street. Parking will be available in the Abbott Molecular lot on Lee Street. Handicapped parking is available in the Park District lot on Touhy Avenue, with a path to the site.

More information about the Flight 191 Memorial is available through the offices of state Sen. Dan Kotowski at (847) 656-5414 and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky at (847) 328-3409.