On Tuesday, President-Elect Barack Obama laid a wreath at Soldier Field in honor of Veterans’ Day. Soldier Field was finished in 1924, and while it was originally called Grant Park Stadium, it was renamed to honor soldiers killed in World War I.

This Sunday, November 15, is the annual Mum Bowl – the city Football Championship for the Junior Bear football league. The program serves 600 boys and girls ages 9 - 13 in 14 city parks throughout Chicago, culminating in a fantastic day at Soldier Field.

Last year, I cried with pride as my son pinned a mum on my jacket at center field. The Welles Park Cowboys won their 3rd place game, having lost only one game all season (by 1 point in overtime in the semi-final game). Thanks to Mike at Welles, Coach John Billhorn, and the Bears Organization for giving us, the boys and their families a day we’ll never forget!

This was particularly meaningful to me, as my late father’s fondest memory growing up was playing for Fenger High School in the City Championship against Weber in 1946, also played at historic Soldier Field.

Grant Park Stadium was designed by Holabird and Roche, and its Classical Revival Style earned it the National Historic Landmark Designation in 1987. In 2003, however, a renovation was begun to modernize the stadium. Because so many of the historic features were removed, Soldier Field was removed from the register as an Historic Landmark on February 17, 2006.

While watching a Bears game is much more comfortable today, I still mourn the loss of this graceful historic giant.

Posted By: Anne Rossley