Flossmoor Veterans' Memorial Offers Richard Haas Murals Walking Tour

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial (FVM) will sponsor its 2025 walking tour of Homewood’s Richard Haas mural collection on Sunday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The tour will launch from Martin Square at the corner of Martin Avenue and Ridge Road and will conclude at the Homewood Veterans’ Memorial on Harwood Avenue and Olive Road.

The 2 1/2-mile tour will be led by FVM member Kristine Condon, whose 2020 publication, Richard Haas Murals in Homewood, Illinois, is an Illinois State Historical Society 2022 Superior Achievement Award recipient. Participants will stop at each of Haas’ 15 murals, designed in the trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) style, and focus on the details that make the murals come to life. Participants will also get a quick history lesson on other locations, businesses, and stories along the route that are parts of Homewood’s history. All proceeds will go directly to FVM’s efforts to construct a Veterans’ Wall of Honor in Flossmoor.

“FVM’s Wall of Honor will add to the important public art collection that makes the Homewood-Flossmoor community so special,” said retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who now serves as FVM president. “Touring the Richard Haas murals is a great way to raise community awareness of public art, to benefit our efforts to return a Veterans’ Wall of Honor to Flossmoor, and to get some steps in on a beautiful Sunday morning.”

This past March, FVM reached its $150,000 fundraising goal to build and maintain a memorial to Flossmoor veterans. In partnership with the Village of Flossmoor, CN Railway, and America in Bloom, FVM will construct the Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500-square foot parcel north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks. Braun said, “The Wall of Honor project has gone from vision to reality thanks to the H-F community. It’s been a true grassroots campaign, with volunteer organizations, residents, and school students all contributing to the cause. The Wall of Honor will be an excellent addition to public art in Flossmoor and will provide a permanent site to honor those who have served our country.”

Walkers will receive a tour map and will need to sign a liability waiver with their emergency contact information at the time of registration. Refreshments will be provided as the group departs Martin Avenue and Ridge Road and again at the midpoint of the tour. Public restrooms will not be available. Participants are encouraged to visit the local restaurants open on Sunday afternoon after the walk concludes.

Other corporate officers and Steering Committee members include John Beele, Kristine Condon, Richard Condon, Brian Driscoll, Jim Fornaciari, Robert Guilfoyle, Phil Lee, Gina LoGalbo, Tony Manos, Greg Mitchell, Erich Stockwell, and Calvin Young. Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.

To register, visit https://flossmoorvets.square.site.