Forest Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

World War Memorial

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

1. World War Memorial (front)

Inscription. In memory of those
who have sacrificed all
in the World War

Erected 1924 by Kiwanis Club of Forest Park, Illinois.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 41° 52.658′ N, 87° 48.648′ W. Memorial is in Forest Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Adams Street and Thomas Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Adams Street. The marker is located near the entrance to Popelka Park, a small park with a playground. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 501 Thomas Avenue, Forest Park IL 60130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Howard F. Sammon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Sgt. Joshua W. Harris Memorial Walkway (approx. ¼ mile away); Kajuk (approx. 0.3 miles away); George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ginkgo Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Stadium (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest Park.

More about this memorial. The two plaques on either side of the stone have identical text, while the front has a bronze relief depicting a woman comforting a male soldier.

Regarding World War Memorial. According to the 2019 book Illinois Military Monuments, the memorial is called the Forest Park Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Memorial and was dedicated in 1924 in front of Forest Park's original village hall. It was moved in the 1960s to the grounds of the Forest Park Public Library and then to its current location at Popelka Park.

Additional keywords. Popelka park forest park

World War Memorial (southeast-facing plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

2. World War Memorial (southeast-facing plaque)

World War Memorial (northwest-facing plaque) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

3. World War Memorial (northwest-facing plaque)

Popelka Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

4. Popelka Park

Marty and Lorraine Popelka marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

5. Marty and Lorraine Popelka marker

Popelka Park is named after long-time residents Marty and Lorraine Popelka. Lorraine was the mayor of Forest Park between 1987 and 1999. This marker is inside the park, a short distance from the World War Memorial.

Fred C. Becker flagpole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 12, 2023

6. Fred C. Becker flagpole

The flagpole visible behind the World War Memorial is dedicated to Fred C. Becker, a community leader and local realtor.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 12, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.