A local business owner wants to rename the village’s Metra rail stop “Oak Lawn-Patriot Station” in honor
Dr. Sandra Bury, who led efforts on behalf of the Oak Lawn Rotary Club to raise funds to build the installation with beams from the fallen World Trade Center, is asking residents to express their support of the proposal to the mayor.
“The Rotary’s job was to raise money for the sculpture,” Bury said. “I’m doing this as a citizen. The main commitment was to get the sculpture built.”
that was able to acquire steel from the New York-New Jersey Port Authority that owned the World Trade Center.
Bury said she has already contacted U.S. Dan Lipinski’s (IL-3) office about renaming the station, where the monument is located. Now she wants Mayor Dave Heilmann’s support and is asking residents to email a letter available a letter in support of the new name available on Monumental Oak Lawn website.
“The World Trade Center monument gives our town a unique identity,” Bury said. “”It’s not a military memorial. Our first responders and steel from the World Trade Center speaks as much to the spirit of America as much as a solider in uniform.”
In her letter to the mayor, Bury said,
“The Oak Lawn Metra Station is the gateway for the southwest suburbs … It is a good and beautiful thing to let every traveler know that Oak Lawn has this unique memorial. It is a destination for the region and should be recognized as such on train literature, announcements and maps. To not do this is a missed opportunity to promote Oak Lawn. There is no ‘down side’ to doing this.”
Bury said that “tiny Oak Lawn” has done more with its World Trade Center steel compared to most larger cities.
Heilmann said he is amenable to the idea but wants to make sure that a full discussion takes place first before making a decision “that will last for generations.”
“Why the name ‘patriot’? It’s a first responders' monument and a tragic event in our history,” the mayor said. “Is there a more descriptive name? I’m not critical of it. Let’s make sure we think it through because what we decide could actually have broader implications what we do around that station in terms of development and presentation.”
Bury said the installation is almost completed, with just a few final details to be completed, such as stone caps for the walls and donor paver signs. The Rotary Club may also have one more fundraiser.
“I’m proud of the quality of the art,” she said. “It speaks to people beyond Oak Lawn. The best way to do that is to give the [Metra station] a unique name and not just call it the ‘train station.’ It’s a little grander than that.”
Heilmann said he planned to take up the issue of renaming the train station “Oak Lawn-Patriot Station” at the next village board meeting on Feb. 14.
Upon reflection, I find that my thoughts go more with Wendy and oaklawnperson. We don't want to evoke the wrong image with a name. I absolutely feel that Dr. Bury has nothing but the best of intentions and I feel that she would also be open to this dialogue on the issue of name. I realize it may be a bit unwieldy, but the name of the sculpture is "First Responders Memorial", or at least that is the name on the temporary sign. So....."Oak Lawn - First Responders Memorial Station" is now my thought. Quinn Mucker
What is being discussed is how to best let folks in the area know it exists. As an Oak Lawn Resident and local Business owner, I know Oak Lawn is the Southland’s best kept secret. Does Oak Lawn have a distinctive “brand?” If it does, show me. The iconic symbol for Oak Lawn is our water tower. While it is a lovely water tower, it is not descriptive of the wonderful people or quality of life that we have here.
A commenter posted that it was a ploy to drive business to town at the expense of the 9/11 disaster victims. We are building the Memorial so that our First Responders are honored, as well as the victims. It also honors the resilience of the American Spirit. Do I want more people to come to Oak Lawn to view it? Of course I do. This is a bad thing to add a layer of vibrance to a town center that badly needs it? The last time I checked, the word Patriot did not belong to any political party. The last time I checked, our First Responder’s colors are red, white and blue and they proudly wear the flag on their uniforms. If I can be so bold as to speak as to the motives of the hundreds of volunteers and donors, I would say that each of them acted out of love for our country and community. The definition of Patriotic is “inspired by love of your country.” Nothing more. No dark motives, only love.
After the Clinton- Lewinsky story broke out I remember watching a news story that ex Green Berets were complaining that they would have to stop wearing their cover to veterans functions because it would remind people of the famous Monica picture hugging Clinton wearing a dark colored beret. The ex Green Berets were right to be upset. It is how they identify themselves from other services..... but just like a bad haircut, the feelings passed. I dont look at a beret that way anymore. Renaming the station will serve (not much more than) a civic pride for our monument; and that is just fine with me. I think a name to remember the first responders is more appropriate. Patriot sounds to me like I tweet Rush Limbaugh 24/7.....but like a bad haircut.........
Dr Bury states (a Webster's partial) defination of the word Patriot. I do not think Dr Bury wants it to denote any political party. I do not think you want it devoted to any party. Not everyone obviously feels this way. You have no right to censure people who choose to think different from you. It's called cyber bullying and it is wrong. Let the people who want to do good hear what the public thinks. I wont stop them from choosing their name..it's their baby, they worked hard for it. It is still their choice. This is not your article, I wish you would be more respectful of other peoples comments.
J. Garrett wrote, and Dr. Bury agreed with, ..."the 9/11 First Responders Memorial will become a destination driver for the entire Chicago Southland region...". Dr. Bury went on to say "As an Oak Lawn Resident and local Business owner..." and "...this shows...what makes Oak Lawn a great community to live, work and shop." Contrast this with Dr. Bury then stating "A commenter posted that it was a ploy to drive business to town at the expense of the 9/11 disaster victims." Intimating that the poster was offbase. That is precisely the inferred thought one gets when reading those statements. Why mention those things otherwise? To be continued...
The memorial is a great civic acheivement, I doubt anybody is thinking otherwise. (For the rest of this ramble, please see the Oak Lawn Patch Facebook page...it seems I got a bit carried away, sorry...)
The memorial is a great civic acheivement, I doubt anybody is thinking otherwise. (Continued on the Facebook version of Oak Lawn Patch, guess I got carried away, sorry...)
My point is: I think the most vocal oppnents dont see the defination of Patriot as you and I did growing up. Do they relate more to the definations of the synonyms of patriot? IDK? I will never say no to a Patriot Station. If words can loose their intended meaning thru slang or over use, patriot is showing up on some peoples radar. I have read all the different views on this and can see where everbody is coming from...so far. Agreement is another issue. I have no right to name this project any more than anyone has a right to name my children....but that is just my view. I need to leave this article alone, and let other people speak. The folks behind this project know how I feel. One can feel their pride and sense of...patriotism. Now they know how some others feel and that is important to this article. Have a great day
Secondly I'm glad Mayor Heilmann realized this topic should be discussed and not acted on quickly. Thirdly I think Dr Bury has opened up a larger question. How do we want Oak Lawn to be thought of? We're a community where it's a great place to raise a family. We are also proud Americans. And many many of us are people of faith (no matter what the faith.) So while I don't think Patriot is the right word I think this is a great subject to discuss and arrive at a name that does identify Oak Lawn. Then use that for the Metra Station.
We could let the station carry the name of its town, like every other station along every other METRA route. We could name the area where the sculptures are situated - maybe something simple and dignified like "Memorial Square" or "Memorial Circle" or "Heroes' Square." At Ground Zero, in NYC, the monument is simply called The 9/11 Memorial." Everybody visiting the Oak Lawn station and the Children's Musuem knows what the memorial is for, and if they don't, all they have to do is look at it. You KNOW the provenance of the beams. If not, don't the simple figures "9/11" say it all? Another possibility would be to change the name of either Museum Drive, Narrow Street or Tulley between 96th and the station to something that suits the respect for the memorial. In any case, it's good to have this conversation.
You have some great ideas. I love the idea of "Heroes Square" for the area around the Memorial. That's a powerfu phrase and really summarizes what all of the first responders were.
Also, Dr. Bury brought up the signs at the station would be changed. Who would pay for that? The literature that would change, are you referring to the Metra pamphlets with train schedules? I don't think Metra would want to pay to change either of these.
http://monumentaloaklawn.com/2012/02/07/should-patriot-day-be-commemorated-at-patriot-station/ The Oak Lawn Metra Station should be called "Oak Lawn - Patriot Station."
Lastly, to the actual naming itself. While the word 'Patriot' might or might not have a politcal agenda associated with it, to be honest, I dont think it really fits the subject matter. Logically speaking, the people who ran up the stairs, pulled people from wreckage, tended the wounded; they were regular Amercians, doing their regular jobs, on the most irregular of days. While they are certainly heroes in many ways, none of them did anything, I am willing to bet, with the thought "I am doing this because I'm American", or "This will show those terrorist!". Soldiers, even spies or astronauts might sign up for duty with such thoughts, but on that day, in the middle of it all, they were acting heroically, but because they were extraordinary people who happened to BE Americans or love America, not inherently because they felt they were serving some great American cause. How about something like "Oak Lawn - Monument Station" or "Oak Lawn - Memorial Station"? It gives a sense that something important is there, without being overwrought about it.
Also, clearly this process has already taken the word places it didn't need to go...A better idea might be to have a non-binding referendum of sorts that lets' people vote on a limited selection of names. Let democracy ring, right? It can be voted on during the regular elections upcoming, at minimal extra cost (if any). If "Patriot" wins...eh...I don't have to agree with it, but I'll at least agree with the process, which is what living in the United States is all about...feeling like our vote counts (even if we don't always think it does...). Voting for a station name or president...if not heroic, at least patriotic.