40 years ago
Back in December we ran a story and photo on William Simpson, the first (and only?) Forest Park serviceman to be killed in Vietnam. Simpson died in action there on Nov. 27, 1968. The photo at right shows Major Luther Royal of the Armed Forces Reserve Center presenting the soldier’s parents with the medals and decorations he earned during his two and a half years of service in the Army. The faces of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, former mayor Earl Witt and then state senator Howard Mohr bespeak their regret and sorrow.
From the April 30, 1969, Forest Park Review
30 years ago
According to a National Weather Bureau Service pro bono ad in the Review, it was Midwest Tornado Time. Today, May 20, 2009, it’s still that time. Rare is the person who considers for more than a minute the possibility of a funnel cloud striking at home. Yet many are those who were ill-prepared and paid dearly in terms of property damage or loss of life.
At Home: If a tornado warning has sounded, go low, to your basement. If possible, huddle beneath a strong table. If not, seek shelter in the southwest corner, since most tornados strike from that direction. No basement? Seek safety toward the center at any level, the lower the better. Open windows to equalize air pressure and avoid explosive effects.
In Your Car: In gridlock, or a slow jam, everyone has limited options. Maintain your speed and know that your vehicle can offer considerable protection. On an open road, if you see a funnel cloud heading your way, turn into a road that keeps you at a right angle to the tornado. If you exit your vehicle – usually not a good idea – first pick a depression or gulley to lie in.
At work: If you work in a large office building, follow the emergency procedures laid out by management. Twisters seldom cause major damage in large metropolitan downtown areas. If there is no emergency plan, keep it simple. Stay inside, go low and keep to the center – the better to protect against flying glass and debris.
Have a nice day.
From the April 11, 1979, Forest Park Review
20 years ago
The creeps among us. You’ll often find them in the Review’s police report. An unidentified creep was apparently lurking (nobody lurks like a creep) in the municipal parking lot, 7400 Madison, at noon. An Elmwood Park woman was clearing the front passenger side of her car when this twisted sub-cretin slashed her face with his fingernails. She backed out, saw a pedestrian and screamed. Old Needle Nails loped away, probably cackling with glee.
Then we have two apparently unrelated cases of attempted child enticement. At 9:30 on a Friday morning a man, about 25, spotted a 2-year-old girl and her cousin, age 5, playing in a backyard on the 1100 block of Troost. “Come with me,” this number was quoted as saying. The family dog barked, the girls turned down the invitation and the 5-foot 9-inch redheaded male made himself scarce. Meanwhile, six hours later, an 8-year-old girl walking on Beloit noticed another creep calling to her from a parked car. Smart girl, she ignored him and kept on walking.
Maybe it’s not such a big, wide, wonderful world after all.
From the April 26, 1989, Forest Park Review
10 years ago
An editorial appeared in this newspaper stating that we’re virtually alone among all Chicago suburbs in having a nameless park. A lovely park it is, yet since its start during the Depression the best we’ve come up with is “the park.” Pretty lame and for too long. Very unForest Parklike. So c’mon, people. Win immortal, if local, fame! Give our park a name for the ages!
From the Feb. 24, 1999, Forest Park Review
