A 43-year-old New Lenox man was charged with battery following an argument at a Frankfort bar about the man's son entering the military, police said.

Bernard Powers, of the 1100 block of Georgia Way in New Lenox, is charged with a Frankfort ordinance violation for an incident occurring at Jameson's Pub, 9545 St. Francis Rd., according to Frankfort Police Deputy Chief Kevin Keegan.

“Powers' son is going into the military, and somehow (the victim) found out about it, and he wanted to give his approval to Bernard and shake Bernard's hand,” Keegan said.

The two men apparently had an ongoing riff, Keegan said, “they don't like each other.”

“Bernard didn't want to shake his hand,” the deputy chief said.

The alleged victim then texted messages to Powers' son, who showed the texts to Powers, “and that caused Bernard to go off on (the victim) and push him into the front door,” Keegan said.

The alleged victim, a 31-year-old Tinley Park man, was treated on the scene for a “cut to the head” by Frankfort paramedics, who then transported him to an Olympia Fields hospital, Keegan said.

Powers is scheduled to appear in local court at the Frankfort Township building on Nov. 10. If found guilty, the judge will determine any fine or penalties, which may include paying the victim's medical costs, Keegan said. If Powers pleads not guilty on Nov. 10, the court will set a date for trial.

Powers was released on his own recognizance.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.