The City of Chicago is trying to remove two cemeteries from the grounds of O'Hare Airport. One dates from 1849, the other from the 1870s. There will be a protest march there this Sunday, if anyone is nearby and interested. I have cut and pasted the info about it here. St. Johannes Cemetery Alliance (SJCA) >17 September 2003 > >The "March To St. Johannes" will take place this coming Sunday, 21 September 2003. The march begins at 2:00 pm, at the entrance to the access road on Irving Park. Ample parking is being provided across the street in the industrial area, and a small shuttle bus should be available for those who cannot physical make the 15 to 20 minute walk to the cemetery. > >Once gathered at St. Johannes, there will be a short rededication service of the cemetery grounds and time to pay respect to all the faithful interred there. It is also proper, if you choose, to bring fresh-cut flowers to place at the gravesite of your beloved ancestors. > >This is a time to remember all those who have gone on before us and to recognize St. Johannes Cemetery as the final resting place of so many who were instrumental in forging communities out of the Illinois prairies that once stood here. It is a time to share with others the fact that, despite the efforts of many to remove St. Johannes and Rest Haven Cemeteries, these are sacred grounds, which were consecrated decades ago as a place of final rest for those believers then, and now. Your presence will uplift that reality and join in communion with those faithful who have gone before us, and those yet to follow. > >Please plan to be a part of this "March to St. Johannes". Share the news with your congregation and friends. Bring to voice your concerns over the rejection of religious freedoms to worship and to bury the dead, as have recently been approved by Illinois State Legislators working with the City of Chicago, against St. John United Church of Christ and St. Johannes Cemetery. > >Hope to see you there this Sunday, 21 September 2003. > > >Sincerely, > >Michael > Michael Martens Kirchhoff, Sr. >mkirchhoff@ix.netcom.com >St. Johannes Cemetery Committee Member > >"Our thoughts and feelings, our words and writings, our dreams and visions are not just our own, they belong also to the many men and women who have died already and are now living within us. The lives and deaths of these people are still bearing fruit in our lives. Their joy, hope, courage, confidence, and trust haven't died with them but continue to blossom in our hearts and the hearts of many who are connected with us in love." Henri J. M. Nouwen