Lyons Township in La Grange in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Re-Establishment of World War I Memorial

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 23, 2024

1. Re-Establishment of World War I Memorial Marker

Inscription. This plaque commemorates the re-establishment of the World War I memorial originally placed between Burlington and Cossitt avenues by La Grange Post 41, the American Legion, to honor the dead of that war. Roy W. Laurence, post commander, 1996-97, conceived and directed the program.

Erected 1998 by Robert E. Coulter Jr. American Legion Post 1941.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, World I.

Location. 41° 48.682′ N, 87° 52.772′ W. Memorial is in La Grange, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lyons Township. It is on Brainard Avenue 0 miles south of Cossitt Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in the parkway between the sidewalk and the street, next to the North Campus of Lyons Township High School. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 100 South Brainard Avenue, La Grange IL 60525, 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

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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: World War I Memorial Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named World War I Memorial Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Anne Marcisz Memorial Pathway (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Tree (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Liz Asperger Flower Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Grange Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); La Grange Village Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bennett Field Lights (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

More about this memorial. It could not be determined what old memorial was being "re-established" here, and whether this is the spot where the re-establishment first happened. Cossitt is an east-west street, and Burlington runs diagonally northeast

Re-Establishment of World War I Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 23, 2024

2. Re-Establishment of World War I Memorial

to southwest, and the streets do not cross each other on La Grange's modern map, as Burlington ends for about seven blocks near the location where they would intersect. One possibility is the 1921 war memorial to veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I in front of Cossitt Avenue School, about seven blocks east of here; however, it is still displayed today on a flagpole in front of the school.

Also see . . . Robert E. Coulter, Jr., Post 1941.

Excerpt: "‘The last mission’ [of] Major Robert E. Coulter Jr. over North Africa on February 1, 1943 …. the two Messerschmitt 109s pointed for Major Coulter, piloting the lead ship of the formation. Guns were hammering, and maybe the 109 fighters had been struck by our bullets. As the 109 began a roll through the bomber formation, it crashed into Coulter’s plane, ripping off a wing. Coulter’s bomber burst into flames and started earthward in an uncontrollable spiral. Three men bailed out. Coulter and the rest of the crew were killed on impact Major coulter had previously flown 35 missions in Europe. Coulter’s crew bombed a German submarine pen over Lorient,
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 23, 2024

3. Re-Establishment of World War I Memorial
Lyons Township High School's North Campus is on the left. The World War I marker is blocked by the orange construction barricade, but is near the sidewalk going from Brainard Avenue to the school.
France and a U-boat base in St. Nazaire, France. Major Coulter earned the Air Medal with three oak clusters and a Silver Star. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously."

(Submitted on July 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.