Thank You Veterans

Lorraine Egan was still at Crystal Lake Central High School when Pearl Harbor was bombed and she decided to joined the Navy's as among the first of the WAVES units.

Goodwill’s Veteran Career Resource Program helps veterans find employment by providing one-on-one job readiness training, comprehensive support services and employment referrals for Sauk Valley veterans.

The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities honors veterans by pairing them with volunteer guardians for a day-long trip to Washington D.C., where they can share personal experiences and make connections with other veterans.

Peter Cirelli reflects on time in WWII as he ran a Toyko kitchen for Army General Douglas MacArthur and created unlikely friendships.

Being recognized as a 50-year continuous member of Dixon American Legion Post 12 was something that Charlie “Chuck” Willett said surprised him and he was honored to receive.

“I remember my first sight of the shop and it shocked me,” he recalled. “It was in dry dock for repairs, just coming home from a major battle and had suffered heavy damage. Being young, I believe I realized for the first time how serious things could get.”

The Valor Support Project takes requests for assistance from veterans in the Sauk Valley. Headed up by retired Army Sgt. Floyd Dunn of Sterling, it is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting veterans facing financial, physical and mental health challenges.

Dave Anderson and Karen Pielin’s digging into their parents’ scrapbooks and photos provided them an in-depth look at what life was like for a young couple during World War II, and now they’re working on a book of their own.

The 40&8 isn't new to Morris as a veteran group, but it was revived in 2018 by Jerry Terando, Steve Huetteman and Chef de Gare of Voiture Rob Dettman.

Who are the veterans honored on the flagpole at Immaculate Conception church? Morris resident Rick Martino works with the Veterans Legacy Center to find out.

The Tag-a-Long Dog Park at 605 Michael St. is a product of volunteerism around Morris, first springing up as a Girl Scout project from Emily Lamaze before it took on a life of its own, becoming the pet project of area resident Jerry Cyrkiel.

An idea discussed one night by two veterans, Max Valdez and Joe Guereca, at the Coal City Area Club was brought to life in just a few weeks. Leading to the first Operation Firm Handshake Veterans Picnic in 2013.

Mike Kenyon, a U.S. Army veteran from South Elgin, served nearly two decades on the Kane County Board, and nearly 10 years with the Kane County Farm Bureau.

Maggie Hill followed her aunt into the service and deployed to Kuwait for 10 months in 2014. Now Hill, a 2005 Oswego graduate, is a mentor to teens as a special education teacher at the high school and Oswego’s cheerleading coach.

As an optometrist, Ronald Weingart wants to improve the quality of life for the patients he sees.

Jason Stucky credits his time in the military with leading him to a fulfilling career and a loving family.

While combing through old things at the sale, John Wright of DeKalb, local collector of historical military artifacts, found something he’d never encountered: a nearly completely filled out World War I Service Record. It details the life of Sgt. Albert Walter Leonhard.

The Marines called him “Gramps” – Gordon Parks was only 23 – but the moniker was respectful. After two tours in Vietnam, Parks carried himself with authority and even his commanding officer took note.

Cpl. Ronald Baker was killed by German forces in August 1944 in an area of northwest France.

The only Revolutionary War veteran buried in Whiteside County was honored Saturday, Oct. 5, by the Kishwaukee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, which installed a commemorative plaque at a cemetery southeast of Albany.

Newman assistant football coach Todd Messer brings a valuable perspective as a marine veteran and retired police officer.

Marseilles resident Jack Leininger, a native of Varna, saves thousands of live with his rescue helicopter in Vietnam.

He took one look at the sea, dreamed of a Navy career and finished as chief after 20 years' service. Oglesby Mayor Jason Curran encourages almost any young person to try military service, but cautions that family life with the service can be complicated and stressful.

On a cloudy Sunday morning in DeKalb, more than 100 people set off together, some outfitted in military regalia hoisting American flags while others pushed their children in strollers. The weather was fitting imagery for the day’s mission, lead organizer Cindy Hupke said.

Chandler Bedecker, a Streator native, recently made the transition from being in the military service to a career in civilian life as a mill helper at Nucor Tubular Products in Marseilles.

Ed Levy has been with Streator FD for many years and prides himself on his committment to service after his time in the U.S. Army.

World War II veteran Art Hrabec, 101, has many memories of the time he spent fighting in Germany

A Manhattan farm donates all the meat it produces to veterans organizations in eight states.

Michael Embrey, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War-era veteran, recently reflected on the power of "Thank you," during his trip from Chicago to Washington D.C. as part of the Chicago Honor Flight group.

Dave Bartley of Peru was stationed outside Frankfurt, Germany, as a 75 Bravo personnel administrative clerk for the U.S. Army, when the wall came down.

Veterans of wars from two different centuries are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore, and DeKalb County locals are trying to keep their legacies in living memory.

After flying cargo planes for the U.S. Air Force, Larry Cabeen now serves on the Geneva school board.

Ronnie Reber of McHenry is a fifth-generation woodworker. He uses his skills to help veterans.

McHenry veterans say its the town's patriotism, spirit that make it a center for ex-military residents

Larson said his time in the military instilled in him a confidence he didn’t have before enlisting.

A formerly homeless veteran who served overseas in Iraq credited the Family and Friends Homeless Veterans Program in Joliet with helping him get his life back together.

Daniel Higgins, who dropped out of Marseilles High School at 17, made it way around the world during a decorated career on US Navy submarines.

Hope Manor Joliet has been providing housing and access to services for veterans experiencing homelessness in Will County since 2017.

Meet Matt Quitno: A former Navy Petty Officer turned DeKalb freshman football coach. After a transformative military experience that taught him resilience and teamwork, he's using those lessons still today.

Cantigny Park's veteran intern program helped veterans gain practical work experience while also getting assistance with career assessment and job search skills.

It’s been almost 60 years, but Cermak remembers the most heroic 15 minutes of his life like it was yesterday. The 80-year-old Downers Grove man, a father of two, retired software engineer and a softball coach was a young codebreaker for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Operation HerStory celebrates women who served and put on its first flight to Washington landmarks in 2021. The group is hoping to organize a second trip.

Dan Whitecotton has been involved in law enforcement since September 2005. He has been with the Sandwich Police Department for more than 17 years.

With his video camera in hand, DeKalb resident Mike Tritle strives to shine a spotlight on veterans events in the community.

When visitors enter Jerry Busby’s basement, they’re greeted with walls filled with military memorabilia as an ode to service members from across the decades, carefully curated by a fellow soldier. "Jerry’s nearly got a whole museum," friend Bill O’Neill said.

Westmont's Dan Lacy has relied his legal skills in military and civilian life alike

Carol Chandler organized Vietnam Valor, which took place March 30 at Dixon VFW Post 540. Around 50 people attended.

Veteran and Island Lake resident Robin Waltrip paved the way for woman in the army and she’s still making a difference by helping out with Habitat for Humanity.

At 105 years old, World War II veteran John “Jack” Connerton is proud to still be able to drive himself around DeKalb County. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1919, he said he remembers his time serving at a London base during the war.

Woodridge's Dick Rooney had a long career with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs including serving as its chief of pharmacy.