In a steady light rain Sunday morning, May 24, Idlewild Country Club members held the club’s annual Memorial Day flag raising ceremony followed by rounds of golf to raise money for Tunnels to Towers, a non-profit organization that provides housing to homeless veterans.
The weather delayed the golf game by an hour or so, and the rounds were shortened from 18 holes to nine, but organizer Dick Walsh said he thought the event nevertheless would raise more than $4,000 for the veterans charity.
Walsh said money was raised primarily through tee sponsorships, which included signs honoring veterans by name.
The club has conducted the Memorial Day ceremony for about a decade, and this was the second year for the fundraiser.
“It’s so people realize we’re here playing golf because of what those people (veterans) did,” Walsh said. “Memorial day is more than a golf outing. In my heart, it’s very special.”
The flag ceremony included a bagpiper escorting flag bearer Pat McCool as he delivered the American flag and the MIA/POW flag to Walsh and Bruce Lill, who raised the two flags.
Dave Mehl sang the national anthem and VFW members from Mokena provided the flag service.
