Thank You Veterans stories from the Shaw Local News Network
The 53-year-old Kearns, who grew up in Boulder Hill in Kendall County and is a 1989 Oswego High School graduate, is a lieutenant at the Oswego Fire Protection District, which serves the communities of Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville and Plainfield.
Downers Grove North teacher and coach Larry Baca says military service prepared him for life's challenges.
For the last 10½ years, Jake Zimmerman has been responsible for the welfare of 18,644 veterans, in addition to surviving spouses and dependents.
It's time once again for Sauk Valley-area veterans, and those from surrounding counties, to sign up for a free Honor Flight to Washinton, D.C.
Piety Hill native Susan “Suz” (Gaull) Whitman changed the course of Navy history. She retired from the U.S. Navy in 2018 as Fleet Master Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. She was the highest-ranking, non-commissioned female officer in the Navy.
Elburn village president joined the U.S. Navy as a "Cryptologic Technician Interpretive" – otherwise known as a linguist.
The lower an American Legion post’s number is, the older it is. With 680 active posts in Illinois, Patrick Fegan American Legion Post No. 83 is one of the oldest.
Denise Carson joined the Women's Army Corps in 1974.
Minor Mobley is an auto mechanic and successful owner of Excel Auto, located at 1207 Foundry St., in St. Charles. He concurrently runs his foundation, Big Hearts of Fox Valley, to help children within St. Charles Community Unit School District 303.
Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood, whose son Alec was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, now operate Darkhorse Lodge in Tennessee as a way to help combat veterans.
Joe Olvera of Shorewood volunteers for several veterans organizations, including the "We Honor Veterans" program for Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet.
The Joliet Police Department Battle Buddy program connects officers to veterans before a crisis occurs and works with them “after a negative event in their lives to reduce recidivism."
Since its inception in 2019, a DeKalb County court program that offers substance abuse and mental health resources as an alternative to significant jail time has helped more than two dozen local veterans find their footing.
Within the offices of DeKalb County government is a group run by veterans, for veterans, helping make civilian life back on the home front a little easier. It's called the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commission.
Retired U.S. Marine Marshall Boyle, of DeKalb, said he believes his service to others didn't stop when he left the military, and won't stop until he's dead. "I don’t think I’ve considered my mission done until they put me in the ground," he said.
These DeKalb county-area business owners said their military service helped them find their footing as entrepreneurs in the community.
Voice of the Huskies. Radio legend. Goodbye Toledo. A lot of different images pop up when people think of NIU play-by-play broadcaster Bill Baker. Most, however, probably don’t think military cop.
Two women have made it their mission to help spearhead a local effort to combat veteran suicide rates in DeKalb County and beyond. Read on for more about the DeKalb American Legion's Be The One campaign:
DeKalb residents Mike and Karen Giuliano not only served their country willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, but they also found love along the way. Since retiring from the Air Force, they've found ways to continue putting service before self.
Jim Kush said he’s not a musician. He can’t read music. But three or four times a year, he sings the national anthem at Genoa-Kingston sporting events. That, he said, is how much he loves his country.
Lisa Mattingly has faced numerous challenges including becoming the first female commander of the Wheaton American Legion.
Robert Gorecki is an Army veteran who served in Korea and has been practicing law in St. Charles since 1956. He is proud to be the oldest practicing attorney in Kane County and has no plans to stop.
Scott and Linda Burkitt felt something was missing – specifically a tribute to veterans – at their Dixon bar and last year decided to have a mural painted on one of the business’ doors to remind patrons of military members’ sacrifices.
Retired U.S. Navy Captain Len Wass lived a fascinating career, serving aboard submarines and later as a successful management consultant in civilian life.
Air Force veteran Don Carpenter found inspiration through his military experience to become a firefighter, helping him gain the skills needed to lead the fire department as a Lieutenant.
DeKalb resident and U.S. Army veteran Daniel “Doc” Habeel knows all too well about mental health problems and how the struggle with them can be all-consuming. He's turned those trials into triumphs for others.
Here’s what’s happening on Saturday for Veterans Day in DeKalb County
Mathius Carter, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, wrote a children’s book, “Instead of Sheep: A soldier’s way of explaining PTSD to his son.”
Read Thank You Letters to NewsTribune Area Veterans
Billy Colbert, who joined the US Army in 2001, said he had two main motivations for enlisting, the biggest being his family’s past generations of service.
Letter to the Editor: The members of American Legion Auxiliary Post #66 in DeKalb would like to express our sincere appreciation for the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Illinois Valley honors and salutes all veterans this Veterans Day.
The Kane County Chronicle honors and salutes all veterans this Veterans Day.
The Kendall County Record honors and salutes all veterans this Veterans Day.
My Suburban Life honors and salutes all veterans this Veterans Day.
Downers Grove resident Bill Chalberg believes enlisting in the Navy was the smartest thing he ever did
Oldest VFW post in Joliet formed in 1920
When he was 8, Dennis J. Znaniecki watched the Color Guard march during the Memorial Day Parade, and finally, one year, turned to his grandmother and said, “I’m going to do that one of these days.”
Marine Corps veteran Terry Fischer of Ottawa knew a rare figure in the Vietnam War: a winner of the Medal of Honor being considered for sainthood. Fischer talks about his time with the Rev. Vincent Capodanno.
Floyd Dunn is not the kind of man who walks away from his commitment to serve.
Grundy Area Vocational Center instructors Rob Schwiesow and Nick Wickman's path to the military actually started in the same shop class they now teach.
Still in high school when the war started, Lorraine Egan soon joined WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, during the beginning of WWII.
Mike Melcher of Yorkville is an Iraq War combat veteran whose military experience helped provide him with the foundation for future success serving his community.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Scrogin is a father, husband, soldier, leader, and war hero, who believes anything can be done with enough determination and willingness to work hard and sacrifice.
West Point graduate and Desert Storm veteran Caroline Wolf, and her husband Hank, renovated a nearly 120-year-old corner storefront in downtown Ottawa and opened Heartland by Hand, which specializes in custom framing and gifts.
Even though he is no longer part of the military, lifelong Sandwich resident and Vietnam War veteran Bill Meyer continues to serve.
Art and speaking to high school students has helped Army veteran Chuck Derer come to terms with the horrors of war.
Local veterans were honored recently during halftime of a Downers Grove South High School football game.
Dan Harrington’s career in senior living led him to become a volunteer with Honor Flights Chicago
two first-year McHenry County Board members, Republican Carl Kamienski and Democrat Lou Ness, despite their divergent political views and parties – have something in common: They are both U.S. Army veterans.