Veterans Commission

CITY OF OAK FOREST Veterans Commission Agenda 15440 S. Central Avenue Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 7:30 pm Oak Forest, IL 60452 Blue Room – Conference Room (708) 687-4050 CHAIRPERSON: Joe Pilch MEMBERS: Christopher Adams John Perales (A) = Absent Ralph Chichester James Hanlon Jim Pioth Dennis Mitzner Dave Moore Tom O’Neill Paul Selman Richard Wojtowicz (A) Mayor Jim Hortsman on medical leave Honorary Member: James (Jim) Watson Guest: • Pledge of allegiance • Roll Call • Approval of Minutes  Approval of June Minutes by ________ 2nd by ________. All members present approved. • Public participation • None • Old business: • • New business • Should we consider buying hats for the Veterans Commission members. Independence Day 2026 is now history. • The biggest concern I have is why 2 vendors were no show at event. • We decided to invite 5 food vendors. • James Hanlon made calls to food vendors: i. BoFill’s BBQ, did not answer James calls to cell or business ii. Jack Frost said they were not contacted about starting date and time. iii. Joey’s Hot Dogs arrived late. iv. Kona Ice, and Ken Keeler (Coopers bar) were there on time. • I have asked John Perales to be the food vendor contact/reminder person. CITY OF OAK FOREST Veterans Commission Agenda 15440 S. Central Avenue Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 7:30 pm Oak Forest, IL 60452 Blue Room – Conference Room (708) 687-4050 • Two other vendors we had were Sisters Concrete and caricature artist Mark Odewald. • My other concern was security wasn’t controlling alcohol leaving the beer garden. • This meeting will be a feedback session on the good, bad and ugly at event. Please bring any concerns that can make things better. • World War II veteran Jerry Venkus called Joe Pilch to find out if there is any progress/interest on building a Veterans Museum. I told him it was brought up at a Cook County meeting. He has memorabilia at Crest Jewelers anyone may visit. • Once around the Table • Tom – Veterans are eligible for stair lifts installed at their home. Tom is getting one installed. • Ralph – Long time veteran supporter Tom Dreesen pasted away. • Dennis – Joining Jim Watson for a Veterans lunch Monday June 15 at his retirement village. Adjournment at 21:00, motion by Dennis Mitzner 2nd by John Perales. Our next meeting is Thursday August 20, 2026, at 19:30 in the Blue Room. Dates and times could change with the approval of the committee. Meeting dates for 2026 meetings start at 19:30. January 15 February 19 March 19 April 16 May 21 June 18 July 16 August 20 September 17 October 15 November 19 @ 17:30 Dec 17 No meeting