The lone air crewman statue that welcomes shoppers and residents at The Glen Retail/Town Center's Navy Park was joined by two fellow servicemen recently. The Hangar One Foundation, thanks to a $75,000 loan from the Village of Glenview, was able to install the three statues as a salute to the area's long military history.

Keeping watch over The Glen are a sailor mechanic and the Naval serviceman who directed planes onto aircraft carriers, or "yellow jacket," according to Hangar One Foundation's President Emeritus and Chairman of its Executive Advisory Committee Ret. Marine Corps Col. Ace Realie.

On a rainy Thursday last week, Dick Lapinski, a former Marine and Glenview policeman visited The Glen's new figures with the Journal. Lapinski, who served in the Marines from 1951 to 1954, saw combat in the Korean War and was later stationed in Japan, has been a Glenview resident since 1944. For 30 and a half years, he served as a Glenview police officer.

During that time, Lapinski participated in and observed enough local events to fill a history book. He served in the Park Manor Association, a civic organization that hosted parades and chuck wagon outings, worked at his brother's gas station and later Heinz Lumber. In 1955, Lapinski joined the Glenview Police Dept. -- a force 20 men strong at the time. When he retired in 1986, the department boasted 55 police officers.

Though Lapinski was never stationed at The Glen Naval Air Station, he certainly has a plethora of memories about the base. From police personnel using the Navy's workout facilities to attending seminars in its classrooms Lapinski and fellow police officers spent plenty of time around the base. Sometimes, officers patrolled the area under less than ideal circumstances. Lapinski remembers several incidents where police canvassed the Glen area searching for the remains of a downed Navy aircraft.

When not utilizing Navy facilities or looking for airplane wreckage, Lapinski's job also included corralling the Wagner's cows and horses when they would break the fences and wander onto Lake Avenue.

Now, as village trustees plan a new police station in The Glen with help from current Chief William Fitzpatrick, Lapinski is excited for the force, but recalls a time when police called an old pump house and garage home. Or, as former Chief William P. Bartlett put it -- "the tilted shed." It was under the leadership of Bartlett and Chief Dave Kelly that Glenview police saw many of its advances, according to Lapinski.

While the former cop, now crossing guard at Harrison and Shermer, looked out at Navy Park and the new statures, he had some reservations. "I think they could've done a little bit more as far as history goes," he critiqued.

Soon, however, The Glen will feature a temporary museum praising and chronicling the base's storied history with artifacts and pictures, to name but a few museum pieces. The museum, located next to the Joseph Banks store, opens in June, explained Realie.

In June, members of the Hangar One Foundation, local officials, Glen developers and the public will enjoy another dedication much like the October gala held to celebrate The Glen's official opening. At this time, the new statues will be officially dedicated.

The bronze servicemen in Navy Park will have to brave the cold and ambiguity until their June dedication, which members of the armed services are certainly used to -- just ask Mr. Lapinski.

For more history of The Glen visit the Hangar One Foundation's website, www.hangarone.org.