Honoring the service and sacrifice of Veterans and their families.

The Drive to Revive Memorial Park

Memorial Park is the oldest park in Arlington Heights and the only park dedicated exclusively to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. The land was donated in 1883 by Arlington Heights (then called Dunton) resident Dr. John Best with the purpose of honoring the 61 area residents who served their nation during the Civil War. Succeeding generations added monuments to Memorial Park to commemorate veterans who served and sacrificed for our freedoms.

After more than a century of service to veterans and the community, Memorial Park was in need of renewal. So, in the Spring of 2007, a community group of dedicated veterans and other residents began working with the Arlington Heights Park Foundation and the Arlington Heights Park District with the purpose of redesigning and reconstructing Memorial Park. An intensive effort spanning nearly two years culminated in a new design that evolved Memorial Park into a living history of our nation, our community and the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

At the heart of the new Memorial Park is a central plaza that educates and informs visitors about the service and sacrifice of veterans by displaying:

• the official seal of all six branches of the United States military in the order that they were chartered by Congress: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine
• a set of bronze markers listing the 15 military conflicts in which Arlington Heights veterans served – from the Civil War through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
• commemorative bricks for individual veterans with inscriptions detailing their military service.

This new design captured the hearts and minds of our community. Contributions for the reconstruction of Memorial Park came from many public and private sources including: residents; civic and veterans' organizations; businesses; a grant from the Village of Arlington Heights and another from the office of State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-33); as well as dedication of funds from the Arlington Heights Park District.

Memorial Park was formally rededication on November 8, 2008 – the 125th anniversary of the Park. This ceremony marked the completion of Phase I renovations and launched Phase II efforts that enhance the Park further. Currently, focus of Phase II is to raise funds for the Eternal Flame bronze sculpture which will stand at the center of the Memorial Park Plaza (please see Eternal Flame Sculpture for more details).

Historic Video of Memorial Park
and its Redevelopment

On the Village of Arlington Heights website, you can view an historic video on Memorial Park going back to the Civil War. Simply logon to: VAH.com/video

Memorial Park Presentation

The Drive to Revive Memorial Park Committee has prepared a 20-25 minute slide presentation detailing the new design of Memorial Park as well as highlighting examples of individual veterans honored with commemorative bricks in the Central Plaza. This informative and moving presentation can be presented to groups. For information and to schedule a presentation, please contact Greg Padovani, Chairman, Drive to Revive Memorial Park Committee at 847-392-9113.

Honor and Remember a Veteran

Hundreds of commemorative bricks have been placed in Memorial Park to honor the service and sacrifice of individual veterans. These veterans are from anywhere (not just Arlington Heights), from anytime (peace or war), and served in any of the six US military services (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine).

The inscriptions on the individual bricks describe service and sacrifice spanning many generations: from World War One, World War Two, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Viet Nam War through all the modern day conflicts up to and including active duty personnel currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These inscriptions contain the names of renowned military units, legendary ships and the historic battles that still influence our world today. Just a few examples of the stories of veterans honored at Memorial Park can be viewed in a recent Daily Herald article.

To honor the service and sacrifice of any veteran, simple download the Memorial Park Brochure and Brick Order Form and follow the directions on the form.

Commemorative Bricks are ordered from the brick company twice a year:

• February 1st (to be placed in the Park by Memorial Day)
• August 1st (to be placed in the Park by Veterans Day).

For questions or for assistance with inscriptions, please call Greg Padovani, Chairman, Drive to Revive Memorial Park Committee at 847-392-9113.

Eternal Flame Sculpture

Donations are requested to fund the centerpiece of the new Memorial Park design – the Eternal Flame sculpture. Designed by noted Arlington Heights sculptor, Fran Volz, the Eternal Flame will be a 13' tall bronze sculpture in the shape of a flame. It will be placed at the center of the plaza containing the commemorative bricks for individual veterans. The Eternal Flame sculpture represents our eternal remembrance and gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families. When in place at Memorial Park, the Eternal Flame sculpture will become one of the most recognizable images in our community.

To date, approximately half of the $80,000 cost for the Eternal Flame sculpture has been collected. Donations for the Eternal Flame sculpture can be made using the Memorial Park Brochure and Brick Order Form and follow the directions on the form or by contacting Greg Padovani, Chairman, Drive to Revive Memorial Park Committee at 847-392-9113.

Eternal Flame Scupture Drawing

Each Memorial Day, our community gathers at Memorial Park, after the Memorial Day Parade, to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active duty personnel – especially those who have given their lives for our country. This ceremony is attended by hundreds from our community. A solemn part of our ceremony is the reading of the names of Arlington Heights and surrounding area veterans who have passed away during the previous 12 months. This tribute as available to any veteran who lived in the Arlington Heights area at any time in their lives and who passed away from May 1^st to April 30^th of the year preceding the Memorial Day ceremony. On May 31, 2010, the List of Honored Veterans read as follows:

Honored Veterans 2010

In order for a veteran’s name to be read at the ceremony on Memorial Day, the following criteria must be met. The veteran must have:

1. Served in any one of the six US military services during any time – peace or war
2. Lived in the Arlington Heights area at some time in their life
3. Died during the period May 1 to April 30 of the year preceding the Memorial Day Ceremony.

Future Honored Veterans List for Memorial Day 2011

To have a veteran’s name included in the Honored Veteran List at the 2011 Memorial Day Ceremony (May 31, 2011), a veteran must meet the above criteria, and their name must be received no later than 5:00 pm, May 27, 2011. Please send an email to: ArlingtonHeightsVeterans@gmail.com. All submissions must include:

1. The full name of the deceased veteran (minimum First Name and Last Name)
2. A phonetic spelling of the name (if needed)
3. Their Branch of Military Service (example: Army)
4. Date of the veteran’s death (for verification but not to be read)
5. Contact information of the sender (name, address, phone, and e-mail)