By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (March 26, 2021) – The Village of Lansing has declared April 8, 2021, to be Lansing Fallen Heroes Memorial Day in recognition of the men and women of Lansing who have passed away in the line of duty.
The day will be honored by the Lansing Historical Society with a day-long vigil at the museum. A special display, open between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, will tell the stories of Police Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr. (End of Watch 4-8-1992) and Marine LCPL Philip J. Martini, (KIA 4-8-2006). The display will remain in place for the next month, during which the museum will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
The full proclamation of Lansing Fallen Heroes Memorial Day, signed by Mayor Patty Eidam, is included below:
WHEREAS, Lansing Police Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr. was killed in the Line of Duty in Lansing on April 8, 1992; and
WHEREAS, Lansing native U.S. Marine LCPL Philip J. Martini was killed in action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on April 8, 2006; and
WHEREAS, these Fallen Heroes served in careers dedicated to the protection of their fellow Americans; and
WHEREAS, these Fallen Heroes, in carrying out their responsibilities paid the ultimate price in performing the duties of their job, resulting in death; and
WHEREAS, these Fallen Heroes died in the line of duty serving their
country; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the bravery and dedication of those who serve and protect in public safety professions throughout our village and our country; and
WHEREAS, we also recognize the sacrifices of the additional heroes from Lansing who died serving their country in previous wars as recorded at the Lansing Veterans Memorial, and
WHEREAS, the Fallen Heroes of Lansing will never be forgotten:
THEREFORE, I, Patricia L. Eidam, Mayor of Lansing, Illinois, do hereby proclaim April 8, 2021 as Lansing Fallen Heroes Memorial Day and call upon all citizens to recognize and remember the sacrifices of Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr., LCPL Philip J. Martini and all those lost in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Lansing and of our country.
The Lansing Historical Society is located in the lower level of the Library Library at 2750 Indiana Avenue.
