Family and friends of veterans can pay tribute to their heroes through a brick paver donation program that will off-set the cost of a Tinley Park Veterans Plaza to be built next year south of the new 80th Avenue train station.

Construction of the plaza has been a goal of the Village and its Veterans Commission, officials have said, and its completion is anticipated in time for Veterans Day next year. The plaza and walkway will feature monuments dedicated to the five branches of the Armed Forces—the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

The most personal and poignant feature, however, will be paver bricks inscribed with the names of veterans—living or dead—honored by donors who want their tribute to be a permanent part of Veterans Plaza.

“It provides our Village with a dramatic way to thank our veterans and their families for their sacrifices,” said Veterans Commission Chairman Wiley Roberts.

Bricks can be purchased in honor of a Tinley Park veteran, or Tinley Park residents can purchase them in honor of any veteran.

To order, purchasers can download, print and complete the form available on the Village’s website. Paperwork is also available at the Village Hall or in the upcoming issue of The Exchange newsletter that is mailed to local residences.

Mail the form to the Village Hall—16250 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477—along with a check made payable to the Tinley Park Veterans Commission. Donors can also pay in person at the Village Hall with cash, a check or a credit card.

Purchasers may choose from:

• A 4×8-inch brick for $100, allowing three lines of text with a maximum of 20 characters per line (spaces and punctuation included).
• An 8×8-inch brick for $250, allowing six lines of text with a maximum of 20 characters per line, OR three lines of text with a maximum of 20 characters per line PLUS an engraved seal of one of the five military branch seals.

For more information, call the Village Hall at 708-444-5000 or visit the website.