MOUNT GREENWOOD — A large blue tarp will be removed at 10 a.m. Saturday to unveil a mysterious monument that has sprung up in Mount Greenwood.
The monument on the northwest corner of 111th Street and Kedzie Avenue comes courtesy of American Legion Post 844, according to Darlene Myers, executive director of the Mount Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.
"I'm really excited about it," said Myers, who worked for 1½ years to facilitate installation of the monument that pays tribute to the different branches of the military.
Myers said the $9,000 monument was paid for with the proceeds from the sale of the building that once served as Mount Greenwood's American Legion post. At least a portion of the building at 3422 W. 111th St. is now used by the Knights of Columbus Father Perez Council 1444, Myers said.
The five-foot tall monument was erected Friday but will be kept under the tarp until the unveiling that will include a bagpipe salute by Steve Coyne of Mount Greenwood. Coyne plays as part of the Chicagoland Irish Bagpipers and the South Side Irish cover band, Red Rebel County.
A list of other local dignitaries including state Rep. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago) and state Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) have also been invited to the ceremony which will conclude with a reception at the Chicago Public Library's Mount Greenwood branch at 11010 S. Kedzie Ave.
The chamber has vowed to maintain the land around the monument and plans to add a 30-foot flagpole behind the marker. Fundraisers are being planned for the new flagpole as well as for a camera that will keep watch over both of the new additions, Myers said.
She thanked the many people involved in bringing the monument to the busy intersection and looked forward to removing the cover this weekend.
"Everyone just worked together so nicely when we called them," Myers said.
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