Vanek Memorial - Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, IL
Posted by: adgorn
N 41° 58.840 W 087° 43.510
16T E 439924 N 4647884
A figure of a soldier, dressed in uniform, stands at parade rest, with a rifle at his proper right side.
Waymark Code: WMD48A
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/16/2011
Views: 2
More from the Smithsonian database:
(On base:) JVANEK/CORP OTTO F. VANEK/Co. E 101 INF/BORN OCT 30 1894/Died Dec. 26 1924/REST IN PEACE/DEAR SON AND BROTHER
Thank you for your service, young man.
This is one of the eight gravemarkers featuring soldier statues in Bohemian National listed in the Smithsonian sculpture database. I found an additional at least 8 similar graves not listed in the database, so I am curious why only these particular graves received the honor of being chosen.
More about the cemetery from their website: (
visit link)
"The Bohemian National Cemetery of Chicago is a Fraternal not for profit cemetery founded in 1877 by Bohemian, Moravian and Slovak immigrants and their descendants to provide a dignified place for burials free of religious restraints. The cemetery is available to all religions, nationalities and races. The cemetery is located on the north side of Chicago. It is situated on 122 acres bounded by Pulaski Road on the West, Foster Avenue on the South, Bryn Mawr Avenue on the North and Central Park Avenue - Northeastern Illinois University - on the East."
There are numerous waymarks of artistic grave markers and monuments at Bohemian National. If you have a chance to take one of the tours offered, it is definitely worth it.