The autumn air had a crisp bite to it, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the quiet anticipation of a solemn day. Flags swayed in the wind outside the Orland Park Civic Center near a steel and granite memorial (Ara Pace – Place of Peace) that bears the names of veterans past and present.
Seven new names were etched into the granite this year: Daniel Badon, U.S. Army, 1966-68; Michael Pihl, U.S. Marine Corps, 1970-72; Joseph Kmiecik, U.S. Army, 1951-53; Victor Panaras, U.S. Army, 1960-63; Larry Lorimer, U.S. Marine Corps, 1992-99. The last two names etched into the memorial were Civil War veterans: Joseph Ward Jr., U.S. Army, 1861-65 and Matthew Wells, U.S. Army, 1864-65.
A crowd of more than 100 people gathered for the annual Veterans Day ceremony. The sky was a pale, clear blue, a perfect backdrop for the American flag snapping in the breeze at half-mast.
Orland Mayor Jim Dodge, himself a veteran of the Army National Guard, called the Veterans Day “a long-standing tradition that we are privileged to host every year. It is important to remember all who have served our country and helped bring our country together.”
One of those men was guest speaker Allen J. Lynch, who received the military’s highest decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his selfless actions during the Vietnam War.
He approached the podium to warm applause. He adjusted his glasses and looked out at the faces in the crowd, many belonging to veterans wearing their old service caps and uniforms.
“Good morning,” Lynch began, his voice resonating with sincerity. “We gather here to honor those who answered the call of duty, those who stood on the front lines for our freedoms. Today is about remembering the sacrifices, the courage and the unwavering commitment of our veterans.”
Born in Chicago, Lynch joined the Army in 1964 and three years later he was serving as a Specialist 4 in Company D, 1st Cavalry Division. During a firefight in Vietnam, he rescued three wounded soldiers and stayed behind to protect them when the rest of the company withdrew.
He single-handedly defended the wounded men against enemy attack until locating a friendly force that could evacuate them. Lynch was subsequently promoted to sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions by President Richard Nixon in 1970.
“We live in a great country where we enjoy a lot of freedoms,” he said. “But those freedoms came at a great cost. Men gave their lives for those freedoms.”
He spoke of the history of the day, of the Armistice that ended World War I and the generations of service that followed.
“Freedom is a debt we can never fully repay. It is maintained by the vigilance of those who wear the uniform, and by the gratitude of those who benefit from their service.”
As he spoke, a gentle hush fell over the crowd. His words resonated with a quiet power, touching upon the shared history and values of the community.
The ceremony featured a rifle salute from the American Legion Post 111 Honor Guard and was followed by the mournful, beautiful sound of “Taps.” The notes hung in the cold air, a poignant reminder of lives given in service.
The ceremony also featured the Orland Park Children’s Theater performing renditions of the National Anthem, a Service Song Medley and “God Bless America.”
After the ceremony concluded, the crowd slowly dispersed. Mayor Dodge and Sgt. Lynch stayed behind, shaking hands with veterans, listening to their stories, and thanking them personally.
The brisk November day felt a little warmer as people exchanged handshakes, shared quiet conversation and looked at the names carved into the stone memorial. The mayor’s heartfelt speech had set the right tone for the day, a day of reflection, remembrance and profound gratitude.
Orland Park had once again honored its own.
