Honoring our
H appy Veterans Day to all veterans, past and present. I would like to personally thank you all for serving our country.
Each year, I try to honor our veterans in some way. This year for the Nov. 11 holiday, I chose to salute those who earned Purple Hearts.
For those of you who may not know, this high honor is awarded to a person in the military who is wounded or dies as result of an act of an opposing armed force, as a result of an international terrorist attack or as a result of military operations while serving as part of a peacekeeping force.
Following are a few hometown heroes who received a Purple Heart. It's almost impossible to list them all. Some of them are listed with a photo and others are not.
Russell Cundiff (deceased), served in the U.S. Army. The World War II veteran was wounded in action in Luxembourg.
Scott DePue , specialist, formerly of the U.S. Army 3rd Division, was wounded by shrapnel to his left arm when his base in Iraq (FOB Hammer) was struck by a missile attack on July 11, 2007.
Frank Earley of Plainfield served in the U.S. Army and was hit in the left arm by Vietnamese forces while attending to his machine gunner who was injured. Earley went to the gunner's foxhole to tend to the injury.
Richard D. Fassino of Joliet served in the U.S. Marines and was wounded when an enemy shell burst in the trees overhead and shrapnel struck his arm and leg. "I thought I had lost my arm that day," he recalled. He still has the scars from the old wounds. After recovering, he was supposed to be shipped home, but instead was sent back to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. When the war ended, he was assigned to guard German POWs.
Thomas Huckaba of Joliet served in the U.S. Marines and was wounded twice. He was first wounded in September 1967. In January 1968 he was wounded again while serving with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Vietnam.
Frank Ivanich (deceased) of Joliet served in the U.S. Army and was wounded in combat in France while performing duties as a rifleman with the 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division.
Eugene Jagodzinski of Joliet served in the U.S. Army from 1943-46 with 10th Mountain Division. He was wounded in the western part of Italy when he was struck by mortar fire in April 1945.
Thomas J. Lewis of Joliet served during World War II as a top gunner aboard a B-29 bomber. He was wounded in the leg during his eighth mission.
Larry A. Marquardt of Joliet served in the U.S. Marines as a machine gunner with Company A 2/506 101st Airborne. He was wounded in combat action on Aug. 1, 1970, in Vietnam.
Chuck McMillin (deceased), served with the U.S. Army Americal Division. He was wounded during World War II. His brother Floyd McMillin (deceased) served in U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division and was wounded during the Korean War.
Raymond R. Phillips (deceased) was injured on Leyte Island, Philippines, during World War II. He lost his left eye. A piece of shrapnel severed his optic nerve, leading to the loss of an eye. He wore a glass eye the rest of his life.
Edward Pochopien of Homer Glen served in the U.S. Army. He received head wounds from a mortar attack outside the city of Bagio, Philippines.
James A. (Bryan) Slagel (deceased) of Joliet served in the U.S. Marines. He was wounded in Vietnam. He returned to action and sent out with 16 fellow Marines. They were ambushed by North Vietnam regulars and killed.
Here are veterans that I have written about who have received the Purple Heart. They are: William H. Bowling, Charles Kovel, Carl J. Luksic, Bill Mancke, Donald Melcher, Archibald F. Moeser, Charles John Mueller, Benito Lee Olson, Frank Perconte and Mitchell Przybycien .
We thank them all!
Donald Molinari and Joni Hoerger will perform World War I and II popular songs along with historical background and anecdotes from that era. Wartime books, historical items, sheet music, flags and artifacts will be on display. There will also be artifacts from World War II belonging to a group of local World War II re-enactors.
Lincoln-Way Composite Squadron U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol will present colors. For more information, call 708-479-9663.
This program will be at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services and will include nine religious and patriotic numbers sung by the choir.
Active personnel and veterans are urged to come in uniform.
People can decorate a holiday stocking for a service person overseas. Stockings and craft supplies will be provided. Craft donations are also needed and will be accepted until Nov. 6.
Participants can also donate a few small items to be used as stocking stuffers. Stockings and donations will be sent to the troops via Operation Care Package. For more information, call 708-390-2401 or visit www.mokenapark.com.
All of the nearly 2,000 Applebee's restaurants will honor veterans and active duty military personnel with a free meal. All guests with proof of current or former military service will get a free entrée from a selection of six.
The offer will be available for lunchtime through dinner. For details, visit www.applebees.com/vetsday.
Texas Roadhouse, 3151 Tonti Drive in Joliet, invites all veterans for a free dinner from 4-10 p.m. on Nov. 11. All veterans who show up in uniform (or with military identification) will be honored guests for dinner.
Not only will there be crafts and vendor show, the event includes a bake sale, raffles and pancake breakfast. Proceeds from table rental, bake sale and raffles will benefit Operation Care Package and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Forms for Wreaths Across America also will be available there for wreath sponsorships. Donations of Christmas care package items will be accepted at this event.
Numerous American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts will present the colors.
The support group's first meeting is from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 11 in Cana West at the church, 15629 S. Route 59.
The first meeting will begin with a short prayer and will be followed by a discussion of plans for the ministry. Next, there will be a short prayer service honoring veterans. It will conclude with coffee and cookies.
Those who attend are asked to bring a photo of their military person with contact information. For more information, contact Maria Prekop at 312-259-6851 or e-mail maria.prekop@navigantconsulting.com, or contact Ann Eckhorn at 815-254-9656 or e-mail aeckhorn7@comcast.net.
The ceremony starts at 11:30 a.m. on the center bridge. Musical selections by the college's choral ensemble will be performed, and veterans will share personal stories. Veterans are encouraged to dress in their military uniforms. Refreshments also will be served.
Those interested in attending are asked to R.S.V.P. at 815-280-2308.
I am looking for veterans who have served in our military to write columns about. Contact Jean Edwards at 815-439-5312 or jedwards@scn1.com
