I found out this week that the Village of Tinley Park not only did everything they could to make residents feel secure and protected after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. They also worked with Metra and other organizations to help in being a hub for bringing people away from the city— if Chicago was the next target—and to protect refineries and other possible targets in and around the Chicago Southland area.

Source: Former Mayor Ed Zabrocki.

Tinley Park Honoring 9/11 Victims and Rescuers

Tinley Park will honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11 today (Patriot Day) with a series of events in Downtown Tinley. Events began this morning at 7:30 AM with a ceremony at Fire Station 46, 17355 S. 68th Court, featuring a bag piper, a speech by Mayor Michael Glotz, a moment of silence, and a chance to view the Village’s World Trade Center beam. The event was streamed live on the Village’s Facebook page.

The day will continue with the Tinley Park Fire Prevention Open House from 9 to 11 a.m. at Station 46. Come out to practice fire safety drills, learn hands-only CPR, take the Junior Firefighter Challenge and see other fire safety displays.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Downtown Tinley Farmers Market from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Zabrocki Plaza to see a patriotic performance by the Tinley Park Community Band’s “Sax in the Suburbs” ensemble and peruse a great selection of fruits, vegetables and fresh flowers.

The Austin Edwards Band will close out the day’s events with a concert honoring first responders from 8 to 10 p.m. in Zabrocki Plaza. You might recognize Austin Edwards as one half of the duo Broken Roots, which finished as a first-runner-up on the TV show America’s Got Talent in 2020.

Come early to listen to performances by the Tinley Park High School Symphonic Band from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and the 144th Illinois Army National Guard Band from Chicago from 7:15 to 7:50 p.m. Patriotic patches and T-shirts will be sold.