Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Iraq War, 2003-2011
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
1. Iraq War, 2003-2011 Marker
Inscription.
Iraq War, 2003-2011. . A US-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003, asserting that Iraq's government produced and retained weapons of mass destruction as well as harbored or supported al-Qaeda terrorists. Dictator Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party were removed from power in favor of a functioning parliamentary democracy. The country collapsed into civil war in 2006-8 as factions clashed with each other and the new government. In 2011, the United States deemed Iraq stable enough to formally withdraw from the conflict, though various subsequent insurgencies have prompted US military involvement. Over 4,500 United States personnel have perished, including one from Des Plaines. His name is on the wall of the Memorial Pavilion. , , [Caption on and beneath photo:] ,
Corporal Peter "Gino" Giannopoulos , Sept. 1, 1982-Nov. 11, 2004. Marine Corporal Peter Giannopoulos lived with his family in Des Plaines during his elementary and middle school years. He died on November 11 (Veterans Day) in 2004 due to wounds received in battle.
A US-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003, asserting that Iraq's government produced and retained weapons of mass destruction as well as harbored or supported al-Qaeda terrorists. Dictator Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party were removed from power in favor of a functioning parliamentary democracy. The country collapsed into civil war in 2006-8 as factions clashed with each other and the new government. In 2011, the United States deemed Iraq stable enough to formally withdraw from the conflict, though various subsequent insurgencies have prompted US military involvement. Over 4,500 United States personnel have perished, including one from Des Plaines. His name is on the wall of the Memorial
Pavilion.
[Caption on and beneath photo:]
Corporal Peter "Gino" Giannopoulos
Sept. 1, 1982-Nov. 11, 2004
Marine Corporal Peter Giannopoulos lived with his family in Des Plaines during his elementary and middle school years. He died on November 11 (Veterans Day) in 2004 due to wounds received in battle.
Erected by Des Plaines History Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 2003.
Location. 42° 0.79′ N, 87°
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53.685′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street east of Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in Lake Park, near the memorial pavilion just east of Lake Opeka. It is part of the memorial garden walk, 11 signs that discuss America's military engagements and Des Plaines's link to them, that sits behind the POW/MIA memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60018, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker 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.
Regarding Iraq War, 2003-2011. Corporal Peter Giannopoulos was killed in battle in Babil Province on November 11, 2004. According to an article in the Purdue University student newspaper, Giannopoulos attended Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, and enlisted in the Marines at age 17. He attended Purdue as a computer science major. He is buried at St. Michael the Archangel
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
2. Memorial Garden Walk
Between Lake Park's memorial pavilion and the POW/MIA memorial is a small "garden walk" that includes 11 signs describing America's military history and Des Plaines's link.
Catholic Cemetery in Palatine. In addition to this memorial, he is also honored with a plaque at the veterans memorial in Inverness, a far northwest suburb where he was living at the time of his death.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
