Oak Forest Honors Its Hometown Heroes

There are many brave men and women who fought for our country, with roots firmly planted in Oak Forest, and many residents might not know it.

That's where the Oak Forest Veterans Commission comes in. The group has decided to display photos of its heroic veterans front and center at City Hall, with the Hometown Heroes photo board.

About a month ago, the commission began working on the project after Joe Pletzkie came up with the idea to display any veteran from any war who is from Oak Forest, said Veteran Commission Chairman Craig Miller.

“The display just briefly states the name, rank and years served of the veteran,” Miller said. “There are pictures of old time residents that passed away and photos of some currently serving.”

“We just want to raise awareness of veterans in the community,” he added.

The commission, just three years old, was formed with awareness in mind. Miller said the commission began when a group of veterans worked to get the Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial displayed in Oak Forest.

“Oak Forest has a VFW but it wasn’t very active so we wanted to start a group that would remind people what we have and why we have it,” Miller said.

With that idea Miller came up with the motto of the Commission: “Educate our young and remind our old that everything we have as rights is brought to us by the veterans of America.”

Miller was proud to list the achievements of the commission within the past three years.

“We’ve brought awareness to the memorial at City Hall, put out information to work as a liaison between veterans and government groups like the VA, educated veterans about discount drugs and medical assistance and taking care of flag retirement with the Boy Scouts to burn the flags in a dignified manner.”

The group has also reached out to active military members and their families from Oak Forest, which Miller said is currently at nine service members.

Just this week, Miller and the Commission members reached out to the Torres family of Oak Forest. Leeland Torres is a major in the National Guard overseas, leaving behind a wife, a four-year-old, nine-year-old and a month-old newborn.

His wife Katie contacted Miller after she learned about the picture board, but Miller was more concerned about reaching out a helping hand as he learned about the Torres family. Patch met Torres late last year, when .

“They just moved to Oak Forest and the wife’s family is in Nebraska and his family are older and live in Oak Lawn so she doesn’t have much help,” Miller said. “The women who are left at home are truly the heroes and warriors.”

Miller said he extended his help, and help from the city, if needed.

“I told her 'if you get a flat in the middle of the night on I-80, call me. If the pipes start to leak, call me,'” he said. “We’ll take care of it or find someone that can.”

He said Torres was very appreciative of that because it’s something you don’t think of until you’re stuck in the situation.

“The little things like that just take some of the stress off of her husband, Leeland, while he’s overseas, too,” he added.

The Hometown Heroes board will be displayed through Memorial Day. Miller said about 22 veterans are currently featured, but they are looking for more. If you are a veteran or know an Oak Forest veteran contact the Veterans Commission at ofveteranscomm@oak-forest.org.