Village To Unveil 14 Names On Memorial In Veterans Day Ceremony

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Orland Park community is invited to join the Village as it honors all who served in the United States Armed Forces. The Village will host the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, Ara Pace – Place of Peace, located in the Village Center at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.

"The Village's Veterans Day ceremony is a longstanding tradition that we're privileged to host every year," said Mayor Keith Pekau. "It’s important to remember all who have served our country and bring the community together."

Orland Park’s Veterans Memorial displays the engraved names of veterans, living and deceased, from across the country who served in all branches and in all wars. It is during the Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies that the newly added veterans' names are announced, and the veterans are recognized.

The ceremony will be held indoors at the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. Those interested in virtual participation can view the program on the Village’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@VillageofOrlandPark. A recording will be posted on the Village’s social media accounts and YouTube channel after the live viewing.

The ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the American Legion Orland Memorial Post 111 and Orland-Palos Reber-Tesmond VFW Memorial Post 2604. The Pledge of Allegiance will follow after resident Tina Fisher performs our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.

Veterans Commission Coordinator Dan Marsan will give a welcome before a blessing by Reverend Don Borling, Pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park.

Mayor Pekau will read aloud the names of the veterans newly engraved on the wall.

It is with tremendous gratitude and pride that the Village of Orland Park adds the names of the following veterans added to the memorial wall:

• LeRoy G. Habel - U.S. Navy 1943-1946
• LeRoy R. Habel - U.S. Army 1969-1971
• Howard Habel - U.S. Navy 1970-1974
• Robert W. Habel - U.S. Army 1972-1974
• James E. Neumann - U.S. Army 1970-1972
• Richard K. Neumann - U.S. Army National Guard 1962-1967
• Gregory A. Grigas - U.S. Army 1968-1974
• James R Duhig - U.S. Army 1966-1968
• Michael T. Benson - U.S. Army 2018-2022
• Frank Stone - U.S. Marines 1955-1963
• John Kowalski - U.S. Army 2008-2013
• Joseph A. Gargola - U.S. Army 1943-1945
• Edward Cox - U.S. Army 1862-1864 (Civil War)
• LeRoy E Giovanazzi - U.S. Army 1942-1945
• Nikolaos Kontodiakos - U.S. Navy 1974-1994

The honor guard’s rifle volley, a customary tradition in which three volleys of shots are fired in honor of deceased veterans, will follow. The event will come to a close with the singing of God Bless America, and the retiring of colors. Finishing the ceremony will be "Taps" by bugler Allen DeNormandie, U.S. Navy Veteran and Member of Veterans Voices Military Group of Orland Park.

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day honors all former military service members. The name of the day of honor was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Ceremonies are traditionally held on the "11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour," to mark the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany, which ended World War I.

Immediately following the Veterans Day Ceremony, the community is invited to attend the dedication of the new Veterans Center located at 14671 West Ave. The center will house meetings for the American Legion Post 111, VFW Orland-Palos Post 2604, Veterans Voices and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), in addition to the Orland Park Veterans Commission.