The Story Behind Oak Lawn's 9/11 First Responder Memorial

OAK LAWN, IL — In the days immediately following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Oak Lawn police officers and firefighters traveled to assist the beleaguered New York City first responders where 343 firefighters and 72 police officers died responding to the World Trade Center attacks.

Nine years later, some of those same Oak Lawn first responders went to New York to escort four beams from the fallen towers back to Oak Lawn. For those unfamiliar or to young to remember the installation of the 9/11 memorial in front of the train station, here is a timeline:

As elected officials and residents have done since the first responders memorial was dedicated in 2011, all residents are invited to gather by the 9/11 memorial on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The ceremony, hosted by the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220, at Oak Lawn-Patriot Station, 9525 Tulley Ave, Oak Lawn.