Des Plaines Memory
Des Plaines Memory is Back - and Celebrating Veterans Day
11.08.24
It's been a minute since we've published a Des Plaines Memory post.
Des Plaines Memory was launched back in 2020, the brainchild of the late Steven Giese, DPPL reference librarian and all around wonderful soul.
A day to be grateful and to express thanks.
But November has another day dedicated to expressing gratitude.
November 11th is Veterans Day.
On this day, the country focuses on honoring the veterans who have served and sacrificed for the common good.
Memorials are built specifically to honor veterans.
Like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
But another way to honor veterans is to listen to the veterans talk about their experiences.
Recently, librarians Amy Dittmeier and Colleen Magruder recorded their interview with local resident and veteran Tony Vieceli about his and his brother’s experiences serving during World War II.
Listen to the full oral history here
WWII veteran Tony Vieceli talks about his brother Angelo Vieceli’s experiences in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater during WWII. Recorded at the Frisbie Center on July 30, 2024 with DPPL librarians Amy Dittmeier and Colleen Magruder.
What other ways has Des Plaines honored veterans?
During World War II the Des Plaines Journal published a special publication.
Entitled Honor Roll it listed the women and men from Des Plaines who had died or were actively serving in the various armed forces.
Honor Roll, Men and Women of Des Plaines ‘In Service of our Country’ was a special publication listing the men and women of Des Plaines who had died or were serving in the United States armed forces during World War II. The publication is undated, but was likely printed circa 1942 or 1943. Service members are listed alphabetically by last name, with their rank and the division of the armed forces in which they were serving. Photographs of a few individuals with their names appear on pages 8, 9, 15 and 14. “Honor Roll” was published by the editor of the “Des Plaines Journal” with the cooperation of the local American L
View the entire 16-page Honor Roll Here
Another way the people of Des Plaines have honored veterans is by visiting memorials.
Actively, as the folks visiting the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that came to Des Plaines in 1988 did.
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial was on display in downtown Des Plaines on Ellinwood Street on July 2 through July 7, 1988. The Des Plaines Mall is visible in the background, center left; the 701 Lee Street office building is in the background, right.
Or passively, as concert-goers at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion did.
In the background of this picture, you can see the memorial which is dedicated the men and women of Des Plaines who served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present day.
Al Legutki conducts the Des Plaines Community Concert Band in a performance at the band shell by Lake Opeka. The band shell is dedicated to veterans from Des Plaines. Since we moved to Des Plaines in 1992 I’ve played dozens of concerts at the shell with the band.
A more creative way of honoring veterans is through artwork.
In 2008 visitors came to the Des Plaines Public Library to see the “Portrait of a Soldier” exhibit.
A traveling exhibit of portraits originated by artist Cameron Shilling and sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and State Senator Dan Kotowski.
A man leans down to get a better look at a portrait of a fallen servicemember at the “Portrait of a Soldier” exhibit at the Des Plaines Public Library on July 11. 2008. The traveling exhibit of portraits was originated by artist Cameron Shilling and sponsored by Lietenant Governor Pat Quinn and State Senator Dan Kotowski.
How might YOU observe Veterans Day this year? One great way:
Go to DesPlainesMemory.org and type "VETERANS" in the search box to explore more than almost 100 records celebrating and remembering Des Plaines veterans.
