The Lansing Historical Society Museum will re-open with the Lansing Fallen Heroes Memorial Day exhibit. We are pleased to be able to honor Lansing’s Fallen Heroes who both died on April 8th, 
Officer Kenneth R, Novak, Jr. in 1992 and LCPL Phillip Martini in 2006. Every year the Village of Lansing issues a proclamation honoring these two men who gave their lives to protect and serve our village and our nation.
The museum will host a vigil from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The museum is located in the lower level of the Lansing Public Library, 2750 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL 60438.
To quote Lansing free-lance writer, Carrie Steinweg,”As time passes, it is up to those in the community to make sure they are not forgotten. By designating April 8 as a day of remembrance, it helps newer residents become aware of the men and reminds longtime residents they paid the ultimate sacrifice by protecting us.”
On April 8, 1992, Officer Ken Novak approached a vehicle that appeared to be disabled. He requested identification from the female occupant, but was shot an killed by the woman’s companion as he returned to the car. To read more about the tragic incident please click on the following links: www.odmp.org/officer/320-officer-kenneth-richard-novak-jr
www.nwitimes.com › news › local › illinois › fallen-officer-always-want..
On April 8, 2006, LCPL Philip R. Martini was conducting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq and was killed by a sniper’s bullet. Phil is Lansing’s only casualty from the Iraq war. Read more about Phil by visiting these sites:
https://www.fallenheroesproject.org/united-states/philip-john-martini/
/thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-lance-cpl-philip-j-martini/1691881
Both Ken and Phil were graduates of Heritage Middle School and Thornton Fractional Twp. High School South. They both are sorely missed by family and friends still residing in the community. The following are pictures of
the heroes as remembered by their hometown.
