American Legion members gather to honor local law enforcement at 16th (Jefferson Park) District 

by BRIAN NADIG

Veterans came together to thank local law enforcement during an “American Flags Across Chicago” ceremony on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12, at the 16th (Jefferson Park) Police District Station, 5151 N. Milwaukee Ave.

“I do support everything you do,” Edison Park American Legion Post 541 past commander Laura Finnelly told the officers.

Her late husband served 18 years as a police officer. “I saw how difficult your job was.”

Greg Jacobs, a past commander of the American Legion Illinois District 9, thanked the officers for their service. He also is Vietnam War veteran and a retired Chicago police officer.

“It’s tougher now than ever (being a police officer),” Jacobs said. “The job chooses you. You don’t choose the job.”

American Legion Billy Caldwell Post 806 chaplain Dale Tippett said that the post started “American Flags Across Chicago” in 2023 in an effort to encourage patriotism and the displaying of flags. Several ceremonies were held at the war memorial monument at Milwaukee and Higgins avenues in Jefferson Park.

The preamble of the American Legion Constitution includes a call for maintaining law and order, and it was felt this year’s ceremony should have an added focus of recognizing the efforts of law enforcement, Tippett said.

Feb. 12 also was chosen as the date of the ceremony because it is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and only a few weeks after National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which was Jan. 9, Tippett said.

The 16th District station was an appropriate location for the ceremony because it has a retired flag box, where older American flags can be dropped off, he said. The flags are then disposed of in proper ways, he added.

At the ceremony, Tippett recognized the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce for its displaying of U.S. flags on lampposts along the commercial corridor.

Tippett also said that the American Legion has multiple programs to help veterans and encourages patriotism among today’s youth, with a focus on citizenship, leadership and education. He said that he has been disappointed with the number of public schools in Chicago which have refused to participate in the legion’s School Award, which honors students for “good citizenship.”

Recipients receive a medal and a certificate, and it “looks good on their resume,” said Tippett, who also is a past American Legion Illinois District 9 commander.

Alderman Anthony Napolitano (41st), who attended the ceremony, told Tippett that he would work to inform schools in his ward about the program.

Napolitano, who is a firefighter and a former police officer, thanked the veterans.

Napolitano said that “it’s one of greatest” honors to serve this country and that he regrets never serving in the military, adding that many of his relatives served.

Alderman James Gardiner (45th), a firefighter, thanked the veterans for “the battles you fought for us” and for promoting the importance of the American flag and the freedoms which the flag stands for. He said that the flag is a symbol which Americans can rally around.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato (38th) said that he agreed with Gardiner’s comments but that unfortunately he serves in the City Council with some members who do not respect the flag and country, calling them “commies.”

Sposato is a retired firefighter.

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