Orland Park, IL (November 4, 2025)- The Orland Park community is invited to join the Village as we honor all who served in the United States Armed Forces. The Village will host the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, Ara Pace – Place of Peace, located in the Village Center at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave.
"The Village's Veterans Day ceremony is a longstanding tradition that we're privileged to host every year," said Mayor Jim Dodge. "It’s important to remember all who have served our country and bring the community together."
Orland Park’s Veterans Memorial displays the engraved names of veterans, living and deceased, from across the country who served in all branches and in all wars. It is during the Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies that the newly added veterans' names are announced and the veterans are recognized. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Ara Pace – Place of Peace Veterans Memorial in Orland Park.
The ceremony will be held indoors at the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. Those interested in virtual participation can view the program on the Village’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@VillageofOrlandPark. A recording will also be posted on the Village’s social media accounts and YouTube channel after the live viewing.
The ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the American Legion Orland Memorial Post 111, Orland-Palos Reber-Tesmond VFW Memorial Post 2604 and Veteran’s Voices of Orland Park. The Pledge of Allegiance will follow after the Orland Park Children’s Theater performs our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.
Veterans Program Coordinator Dan Marsan will give a welcome before a blessing by Reverend Don Borling, Pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park. Allen J. Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient, is the event’s guest speaker.
Mayor Dodge will read aloud the names of the veterans newly engraved on the wall.
It is with tremendous gratitude and pride that the Village of Orland Park adds the names of the following veterans added to the memorial wall:
- Daniel A. Badon - U.S. Army 1966-1968
- Michael R. Pihl – U.S. Marine Corps 1970-1972
- Joseph C. Kmiecik – U.S. Army 1951-1953
- Victor A. Panaras – U.S. Army 1960-1963
- Joseph Ward Sr. – U.S. Army 1861-1865
- Matthew Wells – U.S. Army 1864-1865
- Larry L. Lorimer – U.S. Marine Corps 1992-1999
The honor guard’s rifle volley, a customary tradition in which three volleys of shots are fired in honor of deceased veterans, will follow. The event will come to a close with the singing of a Service Song Medley, the retiring of colors and the playing of “Taps” by American Legion bugler Tom Chambers.
In addition to the Village’s annual ceremony, Mayor Jim Dodge will be making an appearance at various Veterans Day events throughout Orland Park, including:
- Thursday, November 6 at 11 a.m.
Carl Sandburg High School
13100 South LaGrange Road
Lunch with Veterans
- Friday, November 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Prairie School
14200 82nd Avenue
Veterans Day Ceremony
- Friday, November 7 at 9:45 a.m.
Liberty Elementary School
8801 W 151st Street
Veterans Day Ceremony
- Friday, November 7 at 2:15 p.m.
Jerling Junior High School
14200 South 82nd Avenue
Veterans Day Ceremony
- Tuesday, November 11 at 9 a.m.
Meadow Ridge School
10959 West 159th Street
Veterans Day Ceremony
- Tuesday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Orland Junior High School
14855 West Avenue
Veterans Day Ceremony
- Friday, November 14 at 9 a.m.
Century Junior High School
10801 W 159th Street
Breakfast with Veterans
Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day honors all former military service members. The name of the day of honor was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Ceremonies are traditionally held on the "11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour," to mark the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany, which ended World War I.
Questions about the ceremony may be directed to the Orland Park Veterans Advisory Board at (708) 403-5000 or veterans@orlandpark.org.
