Veterans Day Ceremony Set In Oak Lawn For Monday

CHICAGO — Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 is planning a Veterans Day ceremony Monday, Nov. 11. The ceremony honoring all veterans and active military starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial behind the Oak Lawn Public Library at 9427 W. Raymond Ave. You need not be a veteran to attend.

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.

“The guns went silent at 11 a.m. on 11-11,” said Rick Lueman, a member of the Post 5220 and the event coordinator. “That’s when the guys will shoot their guns for a volley salute and the playing of taps.”

Veterans, their families and residents are invited to attend the ceremony and thank a vet for their service. The ceremony will be attended by village officials, including Mayor Terry Vorderer, a Vietnam combat veteran. Local veterans organizations include the Marine Corps League, the Johnson-Phelps VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the Swallow Cliff DAR. Invitations have also been extended to the Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion Post 757 and the Purple Heart Veterans.

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary will be selling poppies made by disabled veterans. All proceeds will go back to the disabled veterans.

Any veterans organizations that would like to show up and participate are welcome. Please contact Rick Lueman, event coordinator for Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220, by email at luemenator@aol.com.

After the ceremony, everyone is invited back to Johnson-Phelps, 9514 S. 52nd Ave. (52nd Avenue and Yourell), for coffee and pastry. The Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School orchestra will be performing a concert for the veterans.