Village of Orland Park to Host Memorial Day Ceremony

Public Invited to Attend in Person or Participate Virtually via YouTube

Orland Park, IL (May 20, 2024) – The Orland Park community is invited to join the Village this Memorial Day in remembrance of those who have given their lives for our country. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27 at the Village’s memorial, Ara Pacé – Place of Peace, located outside of Village Hall at 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park.

“We are honored to pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “We are grateful for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their family members, and look forward to gathering as a community for this poignant remembrance event.”

The names of the eight veterans that have been recently added to the Village’s granite wall will be read aloud during the ceremony.

Those interested in attending in person should arrive before the start of the program. Seating for 200 will be provided, guests are also welcome to bring lawn chairs of their own. Those who choose to attend virtually can view the program on Village’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@VillageofOrlandPark

The itinerary is as follows:

• Welcome address will be offered by Dan Marsan, the Veterans Program Coordinator for the Orland Park Veterans Commission and U.S. Navy Veteran
• American flag raising by the American Legion Orland memorial Post #111, Veterans Voices Military Group and VFW Reber-Tesmond Post #2604
• National Anthem sung by the Happenin’ Harmonies and Little Miss Mezzos of Orland Park
• Pledge of Allegiance
• A Blessing will be offered by Pastor Jacques Conway, Faith United Methodist Church, Orland Park
• Wreath laying by Steven Bacho, U.S. Navy Veteran, Commissioner - Orland Park Veterans Commission
• Guest Speaker - Tom Dubelbeis
• Memorial Day Reflections/Reading of Newly Engraved Names by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Captain
• God Bless America performed by the Happenin’ Harmonies and Little Miss Mezzos of Orland Park
• Closing Ceremony-TAPS by bugler Allen DeNormandie, U.S. Navy Veteran, V.P. Veterans Voices Military Group, Orland Park and 21-gun salute

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

• James George Keating U.S. Air Force 1979-1980
• James Robert Keating U.S. Marines 2005-2009
• David James Fitzpatrick U.S. Air Force 1958-1961
• Jerome Leonard Kwilinski U.S. Army 1953-1955
• John M. Brucki U.S. Army 1965-1967
• Thomas E. Trusk U.S. Army 1966-1968
• Walter Joseph Murphy U.S. Army 1941-1944
• Daniel Raymond Chiarito U.S. Army 1966-1968

Families may pick up their veteran certificate of recognition upon conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony.

For more information, contact the Veteran’s Commission at (708) 403-6115 or visit www.orlandpark.org.

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