Flossmoor Veterans' Memorial Partners With Schools To Honor Area Vets

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR, IL — Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. (FVM) is joining students from Parker Junior High and Infant Jesus of Prague Schools to recognize area veterans during November 2022.

On Friday, November 11, Parker students will invite their veteran family members to breakfast and a morning program. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the branches of the Armed Forces and to visit with veterans. The program will conclude with a brief presentation by retired Flossmoor Mayor and FVM President Paul Braun on plans for the new Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, IJP students will host an all-school assembly honoring their veteran family members. The assembly will include musical selections, a Q&A with veterans, and an overview of the Wall of Honor effort presented by Braun.

Both sessions will also include gathering information on current or former Flossmoor residents who have served the nation’s Armed Forces. To date, FVM has collected the names of nearly 900 Flossmoor residents, from World War I to the present day, who have served in the military. FVM hopes to add another 100 to the existing list by the end of the year.

"Flossmoor’s students are our village’s future," said Braun. "They are important contributors to the Wall of Honor effort and to recognizing the heroic service of our community’s veterans. We’re delighted to partner with District 161 and IJP School to share our progress and to engage students in our work."

"It’s important for our students to hear about and acknowledge the contributions our veterans have made to this community," said Parker Junior High Principal Ursula Parris. "The Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor is an important way for our students to contribute their own histories to our Veterans’ Day activities."

Charlotte Kelly, IJP Principal, agreed.

"We’ve hosted Veterans’ Day programming for our students and their families for many years," Kelly said. "The addition of the Flossmoor Veterans’ Wall of Honor project to our programming gives our students a wonderful opportunity for community engagement."

In partnership with CN Railroad, FVM expects to construct a $100,000 Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500square foot parcel north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks. Designed by Flossmoor architect Michael Matthys, the Wall of Honor will provide a tribute to all current and former Flossmoor residents who are serving or have served our nation’s Armed Forces.

In addition to Braun, other corporate officers and members of the fundraising and communications subcommittees include John Beele, Kristine Condon, Richard Condon, Flossmoor Village Trustee Brian Driscoll, Jim Fornaciari, Josh Grenard, Robert Guilfoyle, Phil Lee, Flossmoor Village Clerk Gina LoGalbo, Tony Manos, Greg Mitchell, Erich Stockwell, and Calvin Young. Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson is serving as an ex-officio member of the committee.

For more information, or to provide the name of a veteran to the group’s commemorative program booklet, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook/Instagram, @FlossmoorVWH on Twitter, https://flossmoorvets.square.site on the Web, or flossmoorvets@gmail.com via e-mail.