Tinley Park Honors Its Veterans, Then Dedicates Plaza to Rea

This year, the village's Veterans Day ceremony had two goals: Pay tribute to Tinley's military men and women and dedicate its new Veterans Plaza to native son Patrick Rea. It did both, although 4 people fell ill during the event.

Joseph Detratto apologized Sunday for visibly sobbing as he talked about the surprise Christmas gift his daughter and ex-wife had given him: a brick with his name along the "hometown hero walk," part of the new Gen. Patrick Rea Veterans Plaza at the renovated 80th Avenue Metra Station. "It was beyond words," said Detratto, who just minutes before had had his picture taken by his daughter, Emily, in front of the brick. "I'm forever grateful for it. It was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten." READ: One Sent to Hospital, Three Treated by Paramedics at Veterans Day Ceremony Detratto enlisted in the Marines in 1970 and served for two years in the corps. He was scheduled to do a tour of duty in Vietnam, but his unit was not called up as the …

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Editor's Notebook

Village Fosters Bond With Its Veterans

The relationship between Tinley Park and its military veterans goes beyond Veterans Day ceremonies. Find out how the two have worked together to help the community as a whole.

Like other towns across the country, Tinley Park will hold a Veterans Day ceremony Sunday to honor the men and women from the community who have served in the military. And while Sunday's event also will dedicate the Veterans Plaza at the renovated 80th Street Metra Station to Patrick Rea, a retired brigadier general and current village clerk, the Tinley Park ceremony stands out for another reason: It shows yet again the strong, long-standing bond the village has developed with its veterans. READ: New Veterans Plaza to be Dedicated to Rea "Tinley Park is very veterans-friendly," said American Legion Post 615 Cmdr. Bob Shaffner, a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam. "Just about everything we need they help us out. … They help us out as…

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Joe Vince

5:53 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012

@Kelly Gee: Thank you for leaving such kind words about your father. I'm sure he's as proud of you as you are of him. Joe Vince Tinley Park Editor   more ›

New Veterans Plaza to be Dedicated to Rea

Village Clerk Patrick Rea, a Tinley Park native and a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve, will receive the honor at a Nov. 11 ceremony at the new plaza.

Although Veterans Plaza might be a new addition to Tinley Park, the site will be associated with someone who has been a representative of the village for years. READ: Tinley Park Takes Another Step in 'Hometown Hero Walk' Officials announced Monday that the Veterans Plaza will be dedicated to Tinley native and current Village Clerk Patrick Rea in a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11, according to a village press release.   "Patrick E. Rea is an iconic representative of Tinley Park and its veterans," Mayor Ed Zabrocki stated in the release. "In many ways, Patrick can be considered a modern renaissance man—a man for all seasons," Zabrocki added. READ: Local Retired Brigadier General Prepares to Pledge The mayor's characterization of Rea stems …

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Dennis J. Belotti

3:42 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012

Your point is well taken. Unfortunately career politicians have enormous egos that can only be satisfied by physical evidence of immortality... Regards, a combat veteran and Tinley Park resident   more ›

Tinley Park Takes Another Step in 'Hometown Hero Walk'

Village officials recently awarded two contracts for the local veterans plaza.

Village officials have taken yet another step in their plans to build a Tinley Park veterans plaza. The site — it should be completed by Veterans Day 2012, officials have said — will honor military heroes from all five branches of the U.S. armed forces. A village board committee approved earlier this month a $23,900 design cost for the project, according to village documents. The plaza is to be built near the 80th Avenue Metra train station, which is currently being remodeled. "The plaza will have a 300-foot-long walkway from the train station through the commuter lot, consisting of paver bricks in one segment and a 'hometown hero walk' with oak tree landscaping and stone memorial headstones," reported the Sun-Times Media on Nov. 25. "The …

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