Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day back when it started in 1918, to commemorate the signing of the agreement that ended World War I, “The War to End all Wars.”
Did you know that in 1923, in River Forest on Armistice Day, nearly 2,000 people gathered to witness the laying of a cornerstone for two new connected buildings, Memorial Hall and Roosevelt School, at the corner of Jackson and Oak avenues?
Memorial Hall was a community-funded building (at least $60,000 in 1923 dollars) to honor, recognize, and thank 252 local WWI veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country.
This memorial was so significant to the planners that they hired the renowned architectural firm, Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton, known for their public school designs.
Upon entering Memorial Hall, one sees three bronze plaques, with two of them listing the many names of those who served in WWI, while the third bas-relief panel depicts soldiers and the War Memorial slogan:
“To Commemorate the Past
To Serve the Present
To Inspire the Future
To Honor Those who Served Our Country”
This Veterans Day, let us remember the significance of the River Forest War Memorial to honor those who served in WWI as well as all those who have continued to serve our country.
John Dzuryak
River Forest