Worth to honor victims of 9/11 tragedy

Worth public officials will mark a couple of events honoring veterans and will remember the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001.

Mayor Mary Werner mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 will take part in the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Veteran Wall on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Monee.

“Members of the post will be there and everyone is invited to attend,” said Werner during the Worth Village Board meeting on Tuesday night.

The opening ceremony begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 5, at 25711 Egyptian Trail in Monee. The closing ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8.

The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony will be Allen Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient. More information can be obtained by calling Jim Paiz, 708-670-3469.

The Burbank Marine Corps League Detachment 072 and the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 Auxiliary Unit will take part in a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony from 7 to 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park, 111th and Harlem Avenue.

A joint color guard from the Marine Corps League and the Marrs-Meyer Post will stand guard to recall the first and last plane strike to honor all lives lost during the terrorist attacks that took place in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa.

A rifle volley and taps will follow the ceremony.

Trustee Pete Ryan reminded everyone about the event.

“I just want to remind residents to take a moment to remember that tragic day,” Ryan said.

Trustee Brad Urban also noted that the Worth Police Fall Bean Bag Tournament to benefit Special Olympics will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Marrs-Meyer Post, 11001 S. Depot St.

Individual players can enter for $25 or $50 a team. Split the pot, raffles and cash prizes will be awarded for the top three teams in the tournament. All remaining proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics Illinois.

More information or to sign up, call 708-448-3979 or email jfrias@villageofworth.com.

Werner also said the 9th annual Beep Baseball Exhibition game between the Worth Police Department and the Chicago Comets will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Gale Moore Park, 108th and Nordica Avenue.

All proceeds will be donated to the Comets, who are the Chicago area’s only visually impaired beep baseball team. More information can be obtained by calling Sgt. Mike Cozzi, 708-448-3979, or mcozzi@villageofworth.com.

The final outdoor music fest of the season will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the post. Admission is free and the featured band will be Big Milly & The Mayhem. Food and refreshments are available for purchase.

Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders will hold their “Shake Your Can Fundraiser” from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28. Volunteers are being sought to “hit the streets” in Worth to raise funds for veterans. Volunteers ages 18 and over can sign the sheet on the bulletin board at the post. More information can be obtained calling or texting Kat Bailey at 708-997-1187.

Village Clerk Bonnie Price said that the Worth Lions Club requested and was granted permission to hold their annual tag days as volunteers will seek donations for the organization on Friday, Oct. 11, at the intersections of 111th and Harlem, 111th and Ridgeland, and 115th and Ridgeland.

An ordinance was amended to modify the village’s turning restrictions limiting left turns from 111th Street north on either Natchez or Nagle avenues from 3 to 7 p.m. daily. Right hand turns are restricted from 111th Street south onto Natchez Avenue during the same time period.

Another ordinance was approved for a professional services agreement between the village and M.E. Simpson Company for a water distribution system leak system.

A fourth amendment was approved concerning property located at the southeast intersection of Crandall Avenue and Depot Street for the Garden Center Services apartment complex for residents with disabilities and their families.

Plans were approved to purchase a Greenmaster 315Q, Groundmaster 4700, and a Groundmaster 400-D for $257,639. The devices will be available for 2026 to care for the grass at the Water’s Edge Golf Course.

Trustee Laura Packwood, who is the chair for the golf committee, said that events at Water’s Edge are coming up.

“Book those holiday events because they are booking up fast,” Packwood said.

Werner added that the 8th Veterans Luncheon honoring military veterans will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4660 W. 94th St., Oak Lawn. Reservations are required by Sept. 16, and can be made by calling the St. Paul Church office, 708-423-1040.