Veterans Day always holds a special meaning in Park Forest, the “GI Town” built in the late 1940s to provide good housing for service personnel returning to civilian life after World War II. Some 18 streets in the Village – from Bailey to Wilson – honor Illinois recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor during that war.
At one time the Park Forest Historical Society held special programs in which veterans living in town could tell their personal story of war and their hopes for the future.
The late Carl Dalke had a chestful of medals including awards from both The Netherlands and Belgium and once recalled how he singlehandedly captured a bevy of German commanders during the last days of the war. Ed Fizer, now a member of the Park Forest Veterans Commission, was a member of the famed Montford Point Marines and fought the battle of race prejudice each day while serving in a segregated unit of the Marine Corps.
Time takes its toll. Today it is estimated that of the more than 16 million members of the armed forces during that war, less than 900,000 are still alive. We lose about 500 of the “greatest generation” each day. Sad to say, there are always veterans returning home and those who will never return. Since 1945, there have been 16 wars, invasions, deployments and “incidents” that have claimed at least 10 American lives.
Each year Park Forest sets aside time to honor those who fought for this country. This year the village’s Veterans Commission plans to honor Vietnam veterans in a special ceremony at Prairie State College at 2 p.m. Nov. 10. All veterans who served between the two decade span from 1955-1975 are eligible. Call Village Hall at 708-748-1129 for more details.
More than 200,000 soldiers were killed or wounded fighting in Vietnam. It seemed to be a war no one seemed to want and no one seemed capable of stopping it. A few Vietnam vets came home to parades. Others were derided and mocked. There were even reports some were even spat upon. It was a calamitous era in America.
October 28
For decades, it was accepted that the history of Park Forest began on Feb. 1, 1949, when residents voted 90-2 to become an incorporated village. Now however, Village officials want to move the date back more than three years to October 28, 1946 – 70 years ago last week.
The date was noted during the reading of perhaps the longest proclamation in the village’s history by Mayor John Ostenburg; one which detailed every honor and accomplishment of the community. This was followed by cake and coffee celebration during a break in the Board of Trustees meeting.
October 28, 1946 was the day real estate developer Philip Klutznick, retired banker Carroll Sweet and home builder Nathan Manilow announced plans to buy some farm land and an underused golf course some 30 miles south of Chicago and turn it into a community catering to the needs of returning veterans of World War II.
One year later to the day — Oct. 28, 1947 — construction began on the first rental units along what is now 26th and Western Avenues. Some 10 months after that, Leona and Ross DeLue became the first residents of the area, moving into a two-bedroom apartment.
Ironically, Nathan Manilow died on October 28, 1971, exactly 25 years to the day of the meeting.
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Six days to go
We are six days away from a mean and nasty presidential election.
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Jerry Shnay is a freelance journalist.