Patriotic Displays, History, Wreath-Laying Ceremonies Planned For Memorial Day In Palos

PALOS, IL — Patriotic displays, wreaths and history are among the observances planned for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, in the Palos area.

Palos Hills

Ald. Mike Lebarre (3rd Ward), is leading efforts to hang flags, banners and other handmade items at Volunteer Park, 99th Street and 88th Avenue. There will also be a remembrance board where residents can sign their names or pen a note of thanks to a family member that served or veterans in general. The display will be up May 26 through June 2.

Palos Historical Society

The Palos Historical Society will hold its 100th Memorial Day ceremony starting at 10 a.m. at the historic Oak Hill Cemetery, 131st Street and 90th Avenue in Palos Park.

Oak Hill dates back to 1839 and includes the final resting places of the area’s earliest settlers, including veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II.
The cemetery is also home to an unknown Union soldier from the Civil War. When a local family paid $100 to have their son’s body shipped home from the war front, it was the wrong body. The family buried the man anyway.

In 2002, Palos Park VFW Post 4861 dedicated a proper monument to the unknown Civil War soldier “in remembrance of all the known and unknown Civil War soldiers buried here.”

Taking part in Monday’s Memorial Day at Oak Hill will be Palos-area scouts, as they have done for over 100 years. The Swallow Cliff Chapter of the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution will lay a wreath on the grave of the unknown Union soldier.

TRAFFIC NOTE: Visitors will be unable to enter Oak Hill from 131st Street from Southwest Highway which is closed for construction. As an alternative, take 135th Street to 88th Avenue; proceed west on 131st Street to the cemetery entrance.

Village of Palos Park

Residents are invited to a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony starting at noon Monday, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial on the village green, 8902 W. 123rd St. A color guard, Eagle Scout recognition, invocation and Arlene Adams singing “God Bless America” are planned.

Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters will read the names on the tribute bricks added to the Blue Star Memorial on the village green. The memorial was refurbished last year by a local scout as part of an Eagle Scout project. Rep. Rick Ryan (36th District) will be also be giving remarks.

New signage has also been added at the Kaptur Administration Center, directing residents where to bring worn and torn flags.