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

Sgt. Joshua W. Harris Memorial Walkway

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 4, 2025

1. Sgt. Joshua W. Harris Memorial Walkway Marker

Inscription. In loving memory of Joshua. Son, Brother, Friend and Soldier.

Born July 29, 1987 • At Peace September 17, 2008

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, Afghanistan.

Location. 41° 52.884′ N, 87° 48.558′ W. Memorial is in Forest Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Circle Avenue and Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on Circle Avenue. The marker is next to the Washington Street entrance into St. John Lutheran Church. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 305 Circle 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

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Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kajuk (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Police Officer Edward Pflaume (about 700 feet away); Howard F. Sammon (about 700 feet away); Police Lieutenant Herman Ziebell (about 700 feet away); Fire Captain Frank Schnurstein (about 700 feet away); Police Officer Michael Caulfield (about 700 feet away); Ofc. Nicholas Kozak (about 700 feet away); St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church World War II Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest Park.

More about this memorial. The marker is located at what was previously the home of St. John Lutheran School, where Harris went to elementary school. That school closed in 2007, and was replaced by a K-8 school operated by Walther Lutheran Academy, whose high school in nearby Melrose Park Harris graduated from in 2006. Walther closed its Forest Park campus in 2013.

Regarding Sgt. Joshua W. Harris Memorial Walkway. Joshua Harris was raised in Forest Park and attended school at this site in St. John Lutheran

St. John’s Lutheran in Forest Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 4, 2025

2. St. John’s Lutheran in Forest Park

The Sgt. Harris plaque is to the right of the doorway.

School. He attended high school at Walther Lutheran Academy in Melrose Park and joined the Illinois National Guard before graduating in 2006. Harris was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2008. On September 17, 2008, Harris and three other soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Gerdia Seria, Afghanistan. Harris was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. He is buried in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Also see . . . Forest Park Review: Soldier remembered for his smile.

Excerpt: "Historically, few of Harris’ classmates at Walther Lutheran High School enlist in any branch of the U.S. military, but his classmates and educators said he always remained confident in his decision. By the time he graduated in 2006, Harris had been a member of the Illinois Army National Guard for a year."

(Submitted on January 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.