Burr Ridge in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 2025
1. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial Marker
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.
~John F. Kennedy~
Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom. That our resolve was just as great as the brave men who stood among us. And with victory our hearts were just as full and beat just as fast that the tears fell just as hard for those we left behind.
~Anne Brehm, Army nurse~
Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.
~Harry S. Truman~
We must never forget that freedom is never really free. It is the most costly thing in the world. And freedom is never paid for in a lump sum. Installments come due in every generation. All any of us can do is offer the generations that follow a chance for freedom.
~Unkown~
When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect.
~Adlai E. Stevenson~
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Location. 41° 44.961′ N, 87° 54.986′ W. Memorial is in Burr Ridge, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of County Line Road and 77th Street, on the left on County Line Road. The memorial is next to Burr Ridge Village Hall. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 7660 County Line Road, Willowbrook IL 60527, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 2025
2. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial
More about this memorial. The memorial includes the names of the five branches of the military, an eagle sculpture and a number of pavers with the names of veterans engraved on them.
Regarding Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial. A paver on the sidewalk within the memorial honors Lester W. Weber, who received the Medal of Honor for his service in Vietnam. Weber was a former student at nearby Hinsdale South High School in 1966 who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966. He served a 13-month tour in Vietnam starting in 1967 and extended that tour by six months. L.Cpl. Weber became machine gun squad leader for the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in January 1969. On February 23, 1969, Weber's group came under attack while in a rice paddy in
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 2025
3. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial
The memorial includes honorary pavers along with five patriotic quotes, like the one pictured here.
Also see . . .
1. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial. From the village website
Excerpt: "The effort to build the Memorial began in July 2001, when a committee was formed of committed local veterans to plan the site and raise funds. Members of the Committee, along with their families, worked tirelessly for nine years to raise the over $300,000 needed for construction. Veterans Memorial Committee members Leonard Ruzak, Jack Schaus, John Curin, Stee Zaher, Warren Kubistal, Andy Anderson, and Dick Coan are thanked for their efforts."(Submitted on March 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Lester W. Weber.
Text of Lance Corporal Lester W. Weber's Medal of Honor citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine-gun squad leader with Company M,(Submitted on March 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)in action against the enemy. The 2d Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu Duc district to assist a squad from another platoon which had become heavily engaged with a well-entrenched enemy battalion. While moving through a rice paddy covered with tall grass L/Cpl. Weber's platoon came under heavy attack from concealed hostile soldiers. He reacted by plunging into the tall grass, successfully attacking one enemy, and forcing 11 others to break contact. Upon encountering a second North Vietnamese Army soldier he overwhelmed him in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Observing two other soldiers firing upon his comrades from behind a dike, L/Cpl. Weber ignored the frenzied firing of the enemy and, racing across the hazardous area, dived into their position. He neutralized the position by wrestling weapons from the hands of the two soldiers and overcoming them. Although by now the target for concentrated fire from hostile riflemen, L/Cpl. Weber remained in a dangerously exposed position to shout words of encouragement to his emboldened companions. As he moved forward to attack a fifth enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded.Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 20254. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial dedication markerThis can be found behind the veterans memorial's sign.L/Cpl. Weber's indomitable courage, aggressive fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 20255. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial donors marker
3. Hinsdale Magazine: The Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial.
Excerpt: "When determining the memorial location, the committee took wise advice and selected a site different from the original plan. Initially, the memorial was to be located at McCullough Park (Plainfield Road and County Line Road). While a nice setting, access was problematic. Mayor Gary Grasso recommended a better site between the Burr Ridge Village Hall and the Police Station, so it would be highly visible and seen by everybody."(Submitted on March 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 2025
6. Lester W. Weber paver
U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Lester Weber posthumously received the Medal of Honor after being fatally wounded in Vietnam on February 23, 1969.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 6, 2025
7. Burr Ridge Veterans Memorial eagle sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
