Restored M5 Will Be Revealed At Mokena Veterans Day Ceremony

MOKENA, IL - Part of the Veterans Day celebration in Mokena this year will include the unveiling of the newly restored WWII-era M5 artillery piece that's been in the village since 1948. The anti-tank gun was recently restored thanks to a "labor of love" from the William F. Martin VFW Post 725 and Veterans Garage. Its new look will be shown during a commemorative event at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at Pioneer Cemetery.

Former Mokena Mayor Joe Werner runs the Veterans Garage, an organization that restores historic military vehicles. He says this year's Veterans Day ceremony has already drawn up more interest than usual due to the planned reveal.

Mokena's M5 will be given a military convoy escort down Wolf Road from 191 st Street by a group of World War II re-enactors, beginning at 10 a.m. on Veterans Day, when the grade and marker of Revolutionary War Patriot Charles Denny will be rededicated at the cemetery as well.

Once the ceremony is complete, the M5 will stay at its former location on cemetery grounds.

Photo via Veterans Garage