Residents remember veterans’ sacrifices
Names are added to village monument during commemoration
It’s true that Perry Carver Mason was named after fictitious lawyer Perry Mason.
But he was given that name years before Raymond Burr made that barrister a household name in a TV series from 1957-66.
“My mother, who lived to be 105, came out of Arkansas and was teaching school and reading Perry Mason books,” he said about the numerous novels written by Erle Stanley Gardner. “People think I was named because of the TV show. But it’s because of the book.”
Mason, one of seven honored during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the Orland Park Veterans Memorial Ara Pace Place of Peace, would like to use Perry Mason-like persuasive skills to provide for veterans’ families.
After the ceremony, Mason, an Army vet who served in the Vietnam War from 196769, said it’s important for those who died in the line of duty to remember their children.
“We get what we get with benefits because of the veterans of World War I and World War II,” Mason said. “Hopefully, one day I want to see those who passed away have their kids’ college paid for.
“If you can send money overseas and help people there, we should be able to provide college education for those kids who has a parent who died. Those who died don’t get a chance to help their kids so it’s the least we can do.”
The 76-year-old Mason, a Chicago native who lives in Gary, Indiana, had friends and family members on hand for the honor, some who live in Frankfort and Tinley Park.
“This was really nice,” he said. “It’s good to see them recognize the guys from the Vietnam War. When they came home, there were no parades or anything like that. Anything they can do for them makes me feel good. It makes me feel a lot better.”
Monday’s ceremony drew more than 200 people and speeches from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and guest speaker Lt. Col. James Hannigan, an Orland Park native and Sandburg High School graduate.
Hannigan said Memorial Day should be both a time of reflection and celebration even though some say it shouldn’t be called
a celebration.
“How do we celebrate what they have given us?” he said. “How should we live in light of that? My social media is filled with people mourning. But it’s OK celebrate as well. There are those who are offended by the celebration. If that’s you, don’t get offended. Retell their stories. Tell them about their bravery.”
Hannigan said it’s important to pass along those stories about their great love and sacrifice.
“If there is a salty old veteran who is just rubbed the wrong way when you thank them for their service, then ask them because they are probably remembering a friend of theirs,” he said. “Ask them to tell the story of their friend.”
Others honored who had their names etched on one of the memorial walls were James John Rzonca, Army, 1955-57; Michael F. Kosowski, Army, 1967-73; Michael A. Lew, Marines, 1975-78; Bill Frank Szlenk, Army, 1943-46; James Richard Baillie, 1967-69; and James E. Thompson, 196770.
This was the first of several events in Orland Park with military themes.
At 10 a.m. Friday, area veterans will host a Military Care Package event at Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park.
Among the coming events Veterans Program Assistant Darryl Wertheim is excited about is the Veterans and Athletes Unified flag that will be on display at the Ara Pace Place of Peace from Aug. 5 to 7 during Taste of Orland.
It’s a 6-by-28 feet U.S. flag made of 7,000 dog tags of veterans who have been killed in action since 9/11.
“It’s one of the first things we will do for the younger people who have passed away,” Wertheim said. “We do a lot for World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, but this will be different and we think it will draw people from all around to see it.”
Other events include a Salute to the Veterans concert June 16 at the 143rd Metra Street Station, a Hometown Heroes Banner Dedication on July 2, a luncheon Oct 9 and a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
Oak Lawn
There were observances throughout the Southland Monday, including in Oak Lawn, where Owen W. Winter Jr. VFW Post 4241 held a memorial and placed wreaths at the village’s Veterans Memorial.
U.S. Rep. Marie Newman and Mayor Terry Vorderer, himself a veteran, asked residents to remember the sacrifice of those who died and honored living veterans.
Vorderer, a former police officer, drew applause when specifically recognizing the Oak Lawn police officers present, calling them the first line of defense.