Approximately 500 were in attendance Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Veterans Serenity Park dedication in Oswego. There were seven articulate speakers, started by Dave Krahn, chairman of the Veterans Serenity Park Committee. The many individuals who arrived to be a part of the dedication and to be a part of history, packed the place, more standing than those seated. The cold air was no match for the obvious warmth and excitement, both from observers and dedication participants. See photos and video at thevoice.us/oswego-veterans-serenity-park-dedication-ceremony
The Veterans Serenity Park was approximately two years in the vision, construction, and reality. The Oswegoland Park District, Oswegoland Park Foundation, military personnel, many of whom are retired, and private donors, helped propel the project forward. There are walkways, bricks, and benches. Near the end of the 45-minute ceremony a waterfall was turned on which cascaded over an eternal flame. Funds for the project were provided entirely by private donations. Many were called and many were participants, willingly.
The Oswegoland Park District will maintain the Park. All five branches of the military were honored in the dedication. Bricks with names, years served in the military, and other possible identification formed a walkway.
“We are about 85% done with the work,” Krahn started out in his remarks. “The Park vision is for a serene refuge for veterans, for those who suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), reflection for families, or, just to see the (Fox) River (in its serenity).”
Krahn, a U.S. Army veteran, gave thanks to the Oswegoland Park District, Phil Edwards of Twin Oaks Landscaping, and all of the participants in the project. “Oswego is community that is still a hidden gem that had the vision to build the Park with donated funds entirely,” he said.
The agenda included: Oswego Fire/Police/American Legion honor guard; National Anthem and God Bless America songs by Gunnar Magnuson, from Sugar Grove, a student at Waubonsee Community College and a Kaneland High School graduate; Pledge of Allegiance by Fox Valley Breakfast Club leaders, Herschel Luckinbill and Rick Gardner; prayer of dedication, Ron Stark; and remarks by Rich Zielke and Danielle Wilson, Oswegoland Park District; 11th Congressional District representative Bill Foster; Linda Chapa LaVia, director, Illinois Veterans Affairs; State representatives Mark Batinick, 97th District, and Stephanie Kifowit, 84th District; and closing comments by Oswego Village Board president Troy Parlier, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Kifowit, a former U.S. Marine, offered a special shout-out for the November 10 240th birthday of the Marines. That brought cheers and oorah calls.
All of the speakers were succinct and offered fitting tributes and comments.
Chapa LaVia, who leads a Veterans Affairs Department of 1,200 employees, based in Springfield, said she is fully confirmed now, as of October 30 and no long the acting director.
The Oswego and Fox Valley communities, under the leadership of Dave Krahn, made the promise a reality. Serenity is important, especially to those veterans who have given service for a cause.
• Wise veterans organizations did not seek to compete with the early arrival of unofficial Winter Monday with observances of Veterans Day. Aurora moved the celebration into the Aurora City Hall and canceled the parade. Montgomery VFW postponed its annual service to Saturday.
• More salutes will be Sunday, Nov. 17 by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 693, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Villia Varone Italian Restaurant in Geneva.