In a warm spring day in 2013, my two sons and I took “adventure walks” through the Dan Ryan woods. On this adventure walk we came across this interesting monument. Although it was worn and battered by age and weather, I found it beautiful and wanted to know its was full of history.
On the monument read a small bronze plaque that read “the Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers”. As a parent, I felt that something needed to be done to preserve the monument these ladies erected so long ago to their children. While researching the history I met so many wonderful people who love our country. Yet it was the Gold Star families who made the biggest impact.
So many have contributed to the hard work bring the Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers monument back to prominence here in the Dan Ryan Woods Forest Preserve.
Grand Marshal
Queen of Hearts
50/50 RAFFLE
All Proceeds benefit the Conner T. Lowry Memorial Fund, a registered 501(c)3. Conner Lowry died during combat operations on March 1, 2012 while serving our country as a United States Marine in Afghanistan. Conner T. Lowry Memorial Fund (CTL) nurtures future generations for educational scholarships and to assist veterans and their families in need.
IN THE NEWS
11/8/2018 Chicago National Public Radio affiliate WBEZ rededication of the Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers Listen to timestamps 0:30-1:20
ABC Ch 7 Chicago: Chicago Tribune: Monument and the Bells of Peace
11/13/2018 Beverly Review: Gold Star memorial rededicated to fallen heroes
10/16/2018: LANDMARKS ILLINOIS’ LATEST ROUND OF GRANT FUNDING PROVIDES NEARLY $42,000 IN SUPPORT TO STATEWIDE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS – The Dan Ryan Woods Gold Star Mothers Memorial NFP won double the requested amount for a total of $10,000
10/2/2018 Beverly Review: WWI memorial to be rededicated
5/3/2018 ABC News: Gold Star mother, community restore WWI-era monument found in Dan Ryan woods
4/14/2018 Patch: Help Restore Gold Star Mothers Monument At Cork & Kerry Open Bar
3/28/2018 Villager: Gold Star Mothers Are Grand Marshals of Memorial Day Parade
4/10/2018 Beverly Review: Memorial Parade kick-off April 19
11/14/2017 Beverly Review: Community pays tribute to veterans
11/9/2018 ABC News: Long-forgotten memorial to fallen soldiers to be restored, relocated
11/9/2017 Suntimes: SNEED: Long-forgotten WWI memorial gets proper ceremony on South Side
10/10/2017 Beverly Review: Memorial set for decommissioning ceremony Nov. 9
7/25/2017 Beverly Review: Memorial set for relocation near center
5/17/2018 DNAInfo: Will Forgotten World War I Monument Get Some Much Needed Attention?
5/23/2017 Beverly Review: Local residents seek new site for Gold Star memorial