Publication Date: 10/27/2020

CONTACT: Michael Benard, Executive Director
Wheaton Park District
630.945.7726
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wheaton, IL – While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted programming at the new bandshell, it will not stop the Wheaton Park District from honoring those for which the park was aptly named Memorial Park. The park district has teamed up with local Wheaton resident Rudy Keller, the man behind several local Field of Honor installations, to raise 50 flags daily from sunrise to dusk in Memorial Park from November 8-11 to celebrate Veterans Day.

“These flags represent and honor those who have fought to protect it, and it is a symbol of what we stand for as a nation,” Rudy Keller states. While Rudy himself did not serve, he has made it his life mission to honor those that did. The events of September 11, 2001, inspired Keller to dedicate his time to creating these installations and time for the public to pay honor and their respects to those who served and are still actively serving.

Wheaton Park District recently completed a major renovation of Memorial Park (208 W. Union Ave.), which included an enhanced memorial area featuring a raised black granite reflection area etched with the various wars spanning the last two centuries. “A major portion of the park renovation was the creation of a larger memorial area to appropriately honor our local veterans and their service across all conflicts,” said Michael Benard, Executive Director.

The display is open to the public for drive-by viewing from November 8-11 from approximately 7A to 4:30P daily. Volunteers will gather to raise and lower the flags each day. Residents and community members are encouraged to stop by and pay tribute over the four-day Flags of Honor display, visible from all four streets that surround the park: Hale St. (east), Union Ave. (north), Wheaton Ave. (west), and Karlskoga Ave. (south). Also, Andrews Garden of Wheaton is donating a traditional Arlington Cemetery style wreath to be laid on the monument to salute those who have given their lives during military service.

The Wheaton Park District is asking those who visit on foot to maintain a minimum of six-feet social distance and to wear masks while in the park to protect not only themselves but others during this time of COVID-19. At this time, the State of Illinois is restricting gatherings of 25 persons or more. The district is encouraging the public to be cautious while viewing the display and strongly recommends honoring our Veterans with a drive-by visit to the park.

The district would like to formally acknowledge their generous Memorial Park bandshell sponsors, First Trust Portfolios, and the FT Cares Foundation, as well as the Wheaton Lions Club for their funding of the Lions Terrace. These donations have made it possible for the district to execute this Veterans Day installation and the future programming planned for Memorial Park in 2021.