Title
REQUEST TO INITIATE 45-DAY NOTICE PERIOD
TO NAME CATALPA PARK
IN HONOR OF CHESTER FRANK KUJAWA
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or his designee to initiate a 45-day notice period to solicit public input to name Catalpa Park in honor of Chester Frank Kujawa.
Proposed Park or feature: Catalpa Park
Location: 4330 S. Kedvale Avenue
Community Area: Archer Heights
Ward: 14
Proposed Name: Chester Frank Kujawa Park
II. Explanation
The Chicago Park District naming and renaming procedures allow for the naming of parks and features in parks, including playgrounds and buildings. This proposal has the support of Alderman Edward Burke, the Mayor and the Chicago City Council.
Chester Frank Kujawa was born on the south side of Chicago on May 15, 1924 and represents what is great about this country and the City of Chicago. On February 19, 1945, the 5th Marine Division, C Company, 2nd Platoon and the 26th Regiment landed on the sandy beaches of Iwo Jima during World War II. There were 323 marines who landed on the island of Iwo Jima. Chester Frank Kujawa, then 20 years old was one out of the four survivors of his company. On the day of this landing in 1945, many soldiers were severely wounded and missing in action. As soon as Chester and his fellow marines reached the shores of Iwo Jima they were fired upon by the Japanese military from Mount Suribachi. They moved to the bottom of the mountain for safety where they endured explosions for the next twelve hours until the Navy arrived with their ships and helped push back the Japanese. Chester and the rest of the Marines fought for thirty-six days until the Japanese finally surrendered the island.
Chester Frank Kujawa, resided in the Archer Heights Community Area with his wife, Terry, before his passing on December 12, 2016. On September 18, 2019, the Mayor and members...
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