Flossmoor Launches 'Wall Of Honor' Effort In Village

FLOSSMOOR, IL — The Village of Flossmoor is recognizing what they call a long-overdue effort of recognizing veterans within town. The village is introducing the newly formed Flossmoor Veterans' Memorial, Inc., aimed to commemorate Flossmoor veterans, according to a news release.

Former Flossmoor Mayor, Paul Braun, who served from 2009 to 2021, will lead the corporate fundraising effort for a veterans’ “Wall of Honor” within the village, according to the release. Other corporate officers include Richard Condon, vice president, Kristine Condon, secretary/treasurer, and directors John Beele, Anthony Manos and Gregory T. Mitchell.

"Flossmoor’s center island, directly across the street from the Metra station, was the original site of a World War II veterans’ honor roll in 1945. That effort, spearheaded by the local American Legion post, recognized 155 Flossmoor residents serving in World War II and five dying in combat," Braun said. "The 1945 project was meant to be a temporary marker, with fundraising for a long term honor roll to follow. For reasons unknown, the permanent honor roll was never completed, and the temporary marker was likely lost to the weather and history we believe sometime in the 1950s."

According to Braun, the committee is planning an unveiling of the proposed new “Wall of Honor” recognizing all former and current Flossmoor residents who have served or who are serving in the military. The Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor has been designed by Flossmoor resident Michael Matthys, Vice President of Linden Group Architects in Orland Park, the release states.

“Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc., has a steering committee actively scouting for sites within the Village and will begin fundraising in earnest early this fall,” Braun said.

Additionally, other members of the steering committee of current or former Flossmoor residents include Trustee Brian Driscoll, Jim Fornaciari, Josh Grenard, Robert Guilfoyle, Clerk Gina LoGalbo,
and Calvin Young. Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson is serving as an ex-officio member of the committee, according to the release.

"The significance of a permanent tribute to our veterans can’t be underestimated," Nelson said. "Our goal is to have a location for reflection and remembrance that honors all of our residents who have served our country."

According to the release, the “Wall of Honor” unveiling is scheduled for Sept. 12, from 2-4 p.m. at the Flossmoor Community House. The event is free and open to the public and will closely follow the original 1945 program unveiling of the original Flossmoor veterans’ Honor Roll. The release states that refreshments will be served, and the five only known photographs of the 1945 ceremony will be on display with the proposed new “Wall of Honor.” This event is sponsored by Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.

The committee continues to search for the names of current or former Flossmoor residents who served in the military. Its research has located the names and ranks of veterans from World War I, six years before Flossmoor was incorporated, to those currently serving in the military, according to the release.

“The effort to locate as many names as possible will be an ongoing effort,” Braun said.

For more information, or to contribute the name of a veteran to the group’s commemorative program booklet, contact flossmoorvets@gmail.com or visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook.