Volunteer Maureen Grady-Perovich and Veteran Steve Mayerak share their experiences
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (November 11, 2019) – Each November, Lansing is invited to gather at the Lansing Veterans Memorial on the corner of Burnham Avenue and Glenwood-Lansing Road on the Sunday before Veterans Day. The Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard hosted and led yesterday’s service.Following a welcome and the posting of colors by the Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard, the South Holland Master Chorale performed the national anthem. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Jeff Schoettle of the Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard shared a few words about the debt our nation owes its veterans. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Event attenders bundled up against the wintry temperatures. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Village Trustee Maureen Grady-Perovich was this year’s guest speaker. She is a volunteer with Honor Flight Chicago, and she shared information about the opportunity Honor Flight provides for veterans to spend a day in Washington DC, where they are treated as honored guests:
Veteran Steve Mayerak spoke about his personal experience as a veteran on Honor Flight and encouraged his comrades to take advantage of the opportunity:
Grady-Perovich encouraged veterans to contact her for an Honor Flight application or for more information about the free program.John Ulaszek (left) and Claudia Paolone (right) presented the Soldier of the Cycle Award to Tony Revelez. The award was established in 1994 to recognize a member of the Honor Guard who has stood out during the past year’s events and activities. Revelez, an Army veteran, participated in 13 events with the Lansing Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Honor Guard this year. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)A tradition at each memorial service is the laying of wreaths. Boy Scouts from Troop 276, members of the Lansing Junior Woman’s Club, and family members placed wreaths along the memorial wall, accompanied by Honor Guard members. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Rev. Pat Lyons of Jesus Shepherd of Souls Parish in Calumet City prayed for five needs of a veteran: to feel honored, to be understood, to be healed, to be rewarded, to know God. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Director Albert Jackson invited the crowd to join the South Holland Master Chorale in singing the closing number, “God Bless America.” (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Following the ceremony, all veterans present were invited to pose near the memorial for a group photo. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
The Lansing Veterans Memorial is located at the southeast corner of Burnham and Glenwood-Lansing Road.
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.
