5 Names To Be Added To Veterans' Wall In Memorial Day Ceremony

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Orland Park community is invited to join the Village this Memorial Day in remembrance of those who have given their lives for our country. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29 at the Village’s memorial, Ara Pacé — Place of Peace, located outside of Village Hall at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park.

“We are honored to pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “We are grateful for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their family members, and look forward to gathering as a community for this poignant remembrance event.”

The names of the five veterans that have been recently added to the Village’s granite wall will be read aloud during the ceremony.

Those interested in attending in person should arrive before the start of the program. Seating for 200 will be provided, guests are also welcome to bring lawn chairs of their own. Those who choose to attend virtually can view the program on Village’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/user/villageoforlandpark.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Welcome address will be offered by Dan Marsan, U.S. Navy Veteran
• American flag raising by the American Legion Orland memorial Post #111 and VFW Reber-Tesmond Post #2604
• National Anthem sung by Tina Fisher and the Village of Orland Park Children’s Theater Singers
• Pledge of Allegiance
• A Blessing will be offered by Dr. James Sandberg, Faith United Methodist Church, Orland Park
• Wreath laying by Steven Bacho, U.S. Navy Veteran, Commissioner - Orland Park Veterans Commission
• Guest Speaker Edward G Schussler, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Captain; Orland Park Village Trustee 1989-1993, 2002-2015, Acting Mayor 1992-1993

• Memorial Day Reflections/Reading of Newly Engraved Names by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Captain
• God Bless America performed by Tina Fisher and the Village of Orland Park Children’s Theater Singers
• Closing Ceremony-TAPS by bugler Allen DeNormandie, U.S. Navy Veteran, V.P. Veterans Voices Military Group, Orland Park and 21-gun salute

The following veterans' names will be added to the wall during the ceremony:

• Jerome Anthony Panozzo
  • U.S. Air Force, 1951-1956
• Ronald John Kupczyk
  • U.S. Army, 1964-1966
• Robert A. Kittler, Sr.
  • U.S. Army, 1963-1965
• William Ruben de la Paz
  • U.S. Air Force, 1943-1946
• Thomas Humphrey
  • Union Army, 1861-1864

Families may pick up their veteran certificate of recognition upon conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony.