Carol Stream group now plans veterans memorial at Town Center
A group of Carol Stream veterans and village leaders has selected a new site to build a memorial to fallen troops as fundraising for the project steadily gains momentum.
The task force officially launched the effort more than a year ago to raise $200,000 to redesign a military tribute at Memorial Park. The campaign has collected about $65,000 - well short of its goal - but the group now plans to install the memorial at the Ross Ferraro Town Center, a gathering spot with more exposure and existing infrastructure that could drive down construction costs.
"I'm excited about it," said Jim Benzin, one of the effort's leaders and the commander of Carol Stream Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10396. "When we first started out two years ago, it was the suggestion of a number of people that we put it there."
Memorial Park ranks as the first property acquired by the park district. In 1967, officials dedicated the park on the Fourth of July as a tribute to two hometown heroes: Richard Blasen, killed in Vietnam that year, and volunteer firefighter Ed Mangels, who died fighting a blaze four years earlier. It's a relatively small park in a neighborhood off Thunderbird Trail.
Town Center, by contrast, is a lively venue for a village summer concert series and other community events at the southwest corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road. The memorial would be on the south end of the Town Center plaza, where visitors can contemplate the sacrifices of veterans and their families.
"It's easy to forget about them because you don't see it on a daily basis," Benzin said. "It doesn't interfere with a lot of families, so people go about their lives until something shows up on the news someday."
Mayor Frank Saverino proposed the Town Center location in talks with veterans and other officials, noting its amenities, sidewalks and ample parking.
"We need it where people will get access to it," he said.
Saverino also is hosting an open house fundraiser for the project at the Carol Stream Holiday Inn from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. Almost 900 invites have been sent out for the event that will include appetizers, a cash bar, raffles and music.
"I feel obligated to do something because they put their lives on their lines for us day after day," Saverino said of those who serve.
The project's landscape architect from Naperville-based Studio Bloom Inc. is now revisiting the design to take into account the new site. Carol Stream Park District Executive Director Jim Reuter said the group could look at revised renderings within the week. Plans have called for granite markers, a small shelter, seating, lighting and landscaping.
"In my eyes, it's going to be the same exact concept," said Reuter, a task force member.
Fundraising for the project has taken longer than expected, but the campaign has made progress in recent months.
"That's why we keep plugging along, because there's hope it will get done," Benzin said.
The committee is now preparing for a busy month of fundraising. Joe Cotton Ford will donate proceeds from a "Drive 4UR Community" event Saturday at McCaslin Park. And country band Prairie Station will perform a benefit concert for the project Aug. 19 at the Town Center.
Donors also can contribute to the project by mailing checks - payable to the Carol Stream Parks Foundation - to 849 W. Lies Road.