The Village of Forest View was founded by World War I veterans in 1924, but it has never had a memorial to honor them or the residents who served after.
That changes this year.
The village board has designated a vacant lot at 4601 Wenonah, across from the fire station, as the site for the Forest View Veterans Memorial. The committee is raising $75,000 to complete the first phase and would like to break ground in the spring.
“The town was founded by World War One vets, so we thought it was time to actually have a memorial to memorialize the people that served, said Mike Grossi, the committee chairman and a village board member. “We have a great group of people, and we’re going forward.”
The project is funded entirely through grants and donations — no taxpayer dollars are involved.
The memorial will include a concrete slab that can accommodate chairs for gatherings. Grossi said the committee hopes to get the project out for bids by Veterans Day 2026, with hopes to break ground in the spring of 2027.
“This will be for all Forest View veterans,” Grossi said.
The committee includes Secretary Laura McGuffey, Project Manager Tim Kutt, and veteran advisors John Marbes and Gary Pohanka.
At the August 11 Village Board Meeting, the Stickney Forest View Lions Club and Forest View Park District donated proceeds from a July 10 bingo fundraiser. The Lions Club is holding another bingo in October.
Residents can donate by check, made payable to Forest View Veterans Memorial, or by Zelle. For details, visit www.forestview-il.org/vets-memorial.