Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lake Park Memorial Pavilion
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
1. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion Marker
[Plaque at rear of pavilion:]
A memorial dedicated to those who have given to military service for their Country, so others might enjoy its freedoms. For those who have served, or are serving.
[Several tablets flank the pavilion, they are listed below from left to right]
[Tablet 1:]
In Memoriam
"To honor those from Des Plaines who have given their lives in military service in defense of the United States of America."
Civil War
Henry Emerson Theodore Rogers James Sadler
World War I
Ernest Beth Anthony Biba George Cook John Marcraft Ernest Mensching Elmer Zaleski
[Tablet 2:]
World War II
Alfred H. Armborst Henry A. Bade James Bauman Arnold E. Blume Robert Ford Click Richard Deithloff Robert E. Edgren William C. Elling Frederick Gaulke Allan E. Gernhardt Albert L. Grewe Raymond John Guettes William Heize James Hoffies Herman Jordon William C. Ladendorf George Lecomte Dock G. Moore, Jr. George Neilson Richard M. Daniels
[Tablet 3:]
World War II
Norbert H. Perkins Raymond Pinney Joseph H. Plew Herbert E. Rothery Raymond C. Schacht Eugene Selleck
this page online
Korean War
Richard Becker Robert Beth Donald E. Engh Sam Harmon Wakefield William Zoellick James A. Hofius
[Tablet 4:]
John C. Yager Κenneth W. Wells
Viet Nam War
James M. Albright Howard J. Becker, Jr. Michael S. Bryant Brian J. Cannada Ralph L. Carlock James T. Donahue Peter G. Heckwine Christopher R. Huestis Allan Kellermann Thomas P. Klausing Carl Kurt Robert E. Matson Steven P. Mullineaux James T. Renz Patrick C. Riordon David W. Skibbe William L. Strand Allen R. Tyler Robert S. Utecht Donald E. Walters. Jr. Richard A. Lavender Leonard J. Lewandowski, Jr.
[Tablet 5:]
In Defense of Freedom
Peter J. Giannopoulous, Iraq Chris J. Scherkenbach, Afghanistan
Erected 2004 by VFW Post 2992; American Legion Post 36; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 311; Des Plaines Elks Lodge 1526; Northwestern Suburban Detachment of the Marine Corps League; Des Plaines Park District.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Parks & Recreational Areas
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
2. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion
The marker on this listing is the upper of the two rectangular plaques in the back of the pavilion. The 1975 pavilion it is dedicated for was replaced by the current version in 2004.
Location. 42° 0.79′ N, 87° 53.695′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street near Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The pavilion is in Lake Park, on the east side of Lake Opeka. 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: Memorial Pavilion (here, next to this marker); Des Plaines War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Veterans' Moving Memorial Wall (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam War, 1955-1975 (a few steps from this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (a few steps
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
3. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, first tablet
More about this memorial. This pavilion replaced a 1975 pavilion, also dedicated to Des Plaines war veterans. The plaque for that 1975 dedication is immediately above this one.
The memorial includes large stone tablets listing the names of Des Plaines soldiers who died in war. In front of the pavilion is an older memorial, likely dating to the 1920s, that includes a list of all local residents who fought in the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I. To the east (left) is a memorial for Chicago-area men who were declared missing in action; behind that are a series of historical markers about American military engagements and their impact in Des Plaines, dating to the Civil War.
Also see . . . Lake Park official site. From the Des Plaines Park District (Submitted on March 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
4. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, second tablet
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
5. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, third tablet
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
6. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, fourth tablet
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
7. Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, fifth tablet
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
8. Memorial Pavilion
Behind Lake Park's memorial pavilion is a POW/MIA memorial for Chicago-area men who went missing during the Vietnam War, and behind that a small "garden walk" with 11 signs describing America's military history and Des Plaines's link.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 8. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
