Oak Lawn pays Tribute to 9/11

The 9/11 Tribute began at 9:11am with the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 Posting the Colors followed by Mayor Dr. Sandra Bury leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. After the welcome from Mayor Bury, the Oak Lawn Community High School Choir performed the National Anthem. A reflection was delivered by Village Clerk Jane Quinlan followed by remarks from Oak Lawn Rotary President Dr. Michael Riordan, Post Commander Rick Luemen and Retired Oak Lawn Police Chief Bill Villanova. Retired Police Chief Villanova talked about how this steel from the World Trade Center got to Oak Lawn in 2009. Towards the end of the Patriot Day Memorial, there was a beautiful somber performance from the Oak Lawn Community High School Choir singing "Set Me As a Seal". Although not listed on the program, Oak Lawn Police and Fire Dept representatives revealed the last sculptural elements which completes the 9/11 Memorial. The 9/11 Remembrance was concluded by the Retirement of Colors.

Thank you to Art Clark whose vision it was to obtain the WTC Steel Beams, and thank you to Joe Stubbs, Detective Mike Hudiak, the police department lieutenant Jim MacGyver and firefighter Paul Hensley who were the four selected to take our vehicles and go to New York to escort that steel back to Oak Lawn.

Some groups that were in attendance were Southwest Chicago Christian School - Miss Wendt's 4th grade class, Oak Lawn Community High School Choir led by Mark Baglione and Advocate Medical Group.

To see the entire 9/11 Memorial, please visit Village of Oak Lawn 9/11 Video.