Memorial stands where Jefferson Park residents took their oath into the military during WWII, serving as important symbol of our community 

by BRIAN NADIG

It’s a concrete pillar with plaques on it, and it’s stood in the middle of one of the city’s busiest intersections for almost 81 years.

It can still be easily missed by passersby at the corner of Milwaukee and Higgins, but that doesn’t underscore its importance to our community.

To put it simply: it’s a symbol of the sacrifices which generations of Jefferson Park residents made.

Its origins date back to the early 1940s when many local residents stood there and took their oath into the military during World War II because there was a draft board office nearby at 4962 N. Milwaukee Ave.

At the time, the intersection it was known as Bathtub Square due to a nearby plumbing store that had a bathtub on display in its storefront window, and during the war a sign honoring those serving may have been posted there.

Northwest Chicago Historical society researcher Frank Suerth recalls that his mother was working at the candy counter of the art deco-style Times Theater, 4847 N. Milwaukee Ave., when someone announced that World War II was over.

A few months later the Greater Jefferson Park Servicemen’s Welfare Association had a war memorial erected across from the theater on a small island in the middle of the intersection, where it still stands today. At one time the memorial included the names of local residents killed during the war.

For the next 70 years, a group of World War II veterans from the Indian Portage VFW Post 3592 maintained the monument. Those men should never be forgotten — because they never forgot Jefferson Park and its future generations who also served the country.

Whether it was repainting the eagle on top of the monument, replacing a worn flag or putting up a new flagpole, many veterans have taken care of the structure over the years.

One veteran was in his 90s when he put up a new flag pole, paying for it out of his own pocket after a vehicle destroyed it.

These vets also had new plaques installed as each generation had to deal with its own war, including the war on terrorism.

The different plaques on this monument have changed over the years. According to the late Bernadette Smith, Mothers of World War II – Unit 79, had its name appear on this monument after it had given funds to help build it, according to the historical society.

About 20 years ago the city considered relocating the monument to the nearby Jefferson Memorial Park. After all, its location in a busy intersection was not the safest for the many ceremonies which take place there every year.

The vets apparently read an article I wrote about the proposal. And they weren’t pleased.

That intersection had too much meaning for them.

Their lives changed forever after they took that oath. Some of their friends never returned. Others undoubtedly saw the horrors of a war that left as many as 75 million dead.

I remember a veteran telling me how he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in the war’s last winter, and that he was fortunate enough to survive, suffering some frostbite.

To him that monument was a labor of love. He attended the ceremonies and the pride on his face was obvious.

But life was taking its toll. The number of WWII survivors attending the ceremonies was declining, and about 9 years ago, VFW Post Commandeer Joe Brown stopped by the newspaper office and handed me the keys to the flagpole next to the monument.

He simply said we’re old and can’t maintain the monument anymore, and the post decided it was up to the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce to take over.

Honored, yes. But the chamber is not a veterans organization, and many members, including myself, have never served.

Fortunately the Billy Caldwell American Legion Post 806, led by Vietnam War veteran Dale Tippett, stepped up and took over the role.
The monument is and remains in the hands of veterans and its pride remains.

Recently a local resident caught a glimpse of a ceremony at the memorial and later came back and refurbished the plaques.

It’s also an official stop on the new Northwest Art Trail, which highlights public art along Milwaukee Avenue in Portage Park and Jefferson Park.

And the planned June 14 “America’s 250th Birthday” parade in Jefferson Park will march right by the monument — appropriately enough on Flag Day.

The monument stands where young men took an oath to fight evil, and when they returned home, they were proud to call Jefferson Park their home.

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