Elmhurst in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
1. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial
A memorial dedicated to all U.S. veterans who have honorably served our country to defend our freedom and American way of life.
Erected 1993 by City of Elmhurst; Elmhurst Park District.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list.
Location. 41° 53.708′ N, 87° 56.671′ W. Memorial is in Elmhurst, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Prospect Avenue north of Church Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in Wilder Park, just south of the Wilder Mansion and northwest of the park's conservatory. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 211 South Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst IL 60126, 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.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans' Square (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth's Friendship Walk (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elmhurst Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Dr. Frank Mittermeyer (about 400 feet away); Elmhurst College (about 500 feet away); Reinhold Niebuhr (about 500 feet away); Haumea (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elmhurst.
More about this memorial. The memorial includes five large stones that chronologically list the military engagements of the United States from the Revolutionary War through the second war in Iraq. Each stone is adorned with an insignia of one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Around this memorial are a variety of plaques and other markers, many of which appear to predate this memorial and were relocated here. In the center is a case, titled "Always Remember," which
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
2. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial Marker
Also see . . .
1. Wilder Park. The official page from the Elmhurst Park District
Excerpt: "Originally a cow pasture, this land was undeveloped, leaving a large open space that could be used as a park. When the Elmhurst Park District was created in the spring of 1920, the District immediately entered into negotiations for the entire Wilder estate, which was purchased for $45,000. When Wilder Park first opened, two bricks and a cathedral of elm trees flanked the entrance. Improvements to the estate, which covered two city blocks, began at the north end. A lily pond, landscaped walkways, and playground equipment was installed. An urn that adorned the Cook County Court House and survived the 1871 Chicago Fire rests near the formal gardens. The playground was renovated in 2011."(Submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Elmhurst History Museum: Veterans Day. A history of the Wilder Park veterans memorial
Excerpt: "In 1989, the American Legion T.H.B. Post 187 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2048 approached the City(Submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Park District with the idea to build a new Veterans Memorial in a more appropriate location Wilder Park. The Elmhurst Veterans Memorial Committee was formed. In a cooperative effort, with assistance from the public, a fund-raising drive by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and volunteer services of both the architect and general contractor, a new memorial was dedicated in 1993."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 20243. Elmhurst Veterans' MemorialThe memorial includes five stone tablets like these two, each listing U.S. military engagements and honoring one of the branches of the U.S. military.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
4. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial
The memorial features a variety of pavers with patriotic quotes, including this one by John F. Kennedy.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
5. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial
Flanking the memorial's northwest corner are plaques to individuals who died in military service; based on their ages, some may have been relocated for this memorial.
In this photo, the right marker is for Pfc. Joseph P. Mara, an Army infantryman. According to a Chicago Tribune report, Mara was wounded in Pleiku Province, Vietnam, on November 18, 1965, and died two days later in a military hospital in the Philippines. He had turned 19 years old two weeks earlier. Casualty listings as well as the Tribune list his hometown as Bellwood, another Chicago suburb about four miles east of Wilder Park. The newspaper reported that he graduated from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois, and had enlisted in the Army at age 17.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
6. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial
This plaque was dedicated by the VFW and features a quote by President James A. Garfield.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
7. DuPage County Centennial Plaque
This plaque, near the Prospect Avenue (western) entrance to the Veterans' Memorial, was given to Elmhurst in honor of DuPage County's centennial, in 1939.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
8. Veterans' Square
This plaque was erected in 1987 near downtown Elmhurst and is a a precursor to this Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park. The original location, while prominent, was not conducive to large gatherings.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 13, 2024
9. Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial: "Always Remember" case
The "Always Remember" case honors individual veterans. When visited in September 2024, the case honored Samuel Teresi, a World War II veteran.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on September 15, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
