Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lake Park Veterans Memorial

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Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Lake Park Veterans Memorial Marker

Inscription. The Lake Park Memorial Pavilion bandshell was constructed in 1975 after years of joint planning and fundraising by the Des Plaines Park District, the City of Des Plaines, American Legion Post 36, VFW Post 2992, and many individual community members. It is meant to be a living memorial to Des Plaines people who have died while in military service to the United States. Please take a moment to walk through this garden and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served in the military and those who died doing so. The names of those who perished are carved in stone on the walls of the bandshell.

Text for this memorial garden walk was prepared by the Des Plaines History Center

Erected by Des Plaines History Center.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location. 42° 0.788′ N, 87° 53.685′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street west 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

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engagements and Des Plaines's link to them, that sits behind the POW/MIA memorial. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60018, 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 Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker); Gulf War, 1990-1991 (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021 (here, next to this marker); World War I, 1917-1918 (here, next to this marker); Cold War, 1946-1991 (here, next to this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

More about this memorial. Two other plaques about the dedication of this pavilion are affixed to the pavilion itself.

Also see . . . Des Plaines History Center official site. (Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Memorial Garden Walk image. Click for full size.

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.

Lake Park Memorial Pavilion bandshell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion bandshell

This marker and its accompanying markers are behind and to the left of the bandshell. Lake Opeka is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.