Adolph ?Al? Schaffenberger has made it his mission to ensure that the names of Midlothian's veterans are not forgotten. A twenty-seven year resident of the Village, Mr. Schaffenberger has been an active member of the Midlothian Post 2580 of the Veterans of Foreign wars. He is recognized with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for spearheading ?Memory Lane,? a project that literally etches in stone the names of his fellow veterans. Located in Midlothian's Hansen Commons, Memory Lane replaces the bricks that have made up the Commons? walking path with those that bear the names of veterans and the various branches of service, wars, and conflicts in which American troops have served. Mr. Schaffenberger developed the project, locating a brick carver, and, with the assistance of village personnel, advertised the concept. Now when someone sends in a request for a brick, he arranges for the carving and replaces the existing brick in the walk with the carved one. Bricks are placed in areas designated for WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan/Iraq. Thanks to Mr. Schaffenberger, Hansen Commons? Memory Lane has become a special place where veterans are remembered and honored.
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
