Putnam County Record_11082023

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Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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2 Serving Putnam County since 1868 ShawLocal.com OFFICE 426 Second St. La Salle, IL 61301 833-584-NEWS 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tues. & Thurs. or by appointment ABOUT US The Putnam County Record publishes on Wednesdays at Granville, Illinois SUBSCRIPTIONS $20 per year in advance in Putnam County $40 a year in advance outside of Putnam County To subscribe, go online at putnamcountyrecord.com, call 815-875-4461 or send an email to news@putnamcountyrecord.com.

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Scott Anderson file photo

Princeton American Legion Post 125 veterans give a gun salute during a Civil War Monument Ceremony on Sept. 22 outside the Sash Stalter Matson Building in Princeton.

As Veterans Day approaches, Shaw Local offers a sincere ‘Thank you’ to our military veterans

I

’m not a veteran.

I am, however, the proud grandson of men who

served in World War II and in the Korean War. I grew up with an appreciation and admiration for veterans and the many sacrifices they’ve endured to defend the Constitution and preserve our union throughout our nation’s history.

Today’s edition is an extension of that gratitude. It’s about thanking veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service – both during times of war and in peace.

We are thanking veterans – many who were volunteers and many others who were drafted – for leaving their friends and families behind to risk their lives for the United States of America.

We are thanking them for helping to preserve the USA even when times haven’t been so perilous.

There are more than 16 million veter-

VIEWS Joe Biesk ans in the United States, of which approximately, 590,000 live in Illinois, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics. Those veterans may have served in peacetime or during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam era, Desert Shield/Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror.

Despite our nation’s gratitude to the men and women who have served this country during those times, we still have too many who are facing lifelong troubles stemming from their service. Too many live in poverty, struggling with homelessness, food insecurity or access to health care. Others struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, or social isolation.

In addition to honoring our military veterans, today’s edition is meant to acknowledge the issues many face and highlight some of the people who are trying to help in various ways.

Today, we will bring you stories of veterans who have successfully started their own businesses. For veterans look-

ing to connect with other veterans, we have listings of local services and social organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts.

We also have different events happening around Veterans Day, which is Saturday, Nov. 11.

We’ll also have notes of gratitude written to specific veterans. There are historical pieces about the many Illinois veterans throughout our nation’s history who have stood in the face of the most dire circumstances and shown tremendous courage before paying the ultimate price.

There are stories about veterans helping others try to cope with reentering civilian life. Others are just plain awesome success stories.

We have written more than 130 stories about veterans throughout our Shaw Media footprint in northern Illinois – offering a wide mix of interesting and uplifting stories today. The entire package is available online at shawlocal.com.

We hope you enjoy today’s work. If you are a veteran, or someone who loves a veteran, we hope you are honored by it.

Thank you, veterans.

• Joe Biesk is senior director of content for Shaw Media. He can be reached at jbiesk@shawmedia.com.

3

Photo provided by Susan Whitman

Not everyone in the Gaull family of Piety Hill, Oglesby, supported Suz Whitman (center) in 1985 when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy. But they all were proud of her in 2015, when she made history, becoming the highest-ranking, noncommissioned female officer in the Navy.

Piety Hill native was highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in U.S. Navy history

S

By TOM COLLINS

uicide bombers hit the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, in April 1983. Six months later, almost 300 were killed in an attack at a U.S. Marines Corps barracks in Beirut.

Far away in Piety Hill outside Oglesby, a young Susan Gaull heard about the terrorist attacks and flew into a rage. Guall, a recent graduate of La Salle-Peru Township High School, wanted to help.

The desire to enlist began to percolate.

A year later, she went to the military recruiting station in La Salle. The officer on duty was a career Navy man, Senior Chief Robert Ankiewicz Sr. “Navy Bob changed the course of my life,” said Whitman, now a resident of North Carolina.

Susan “Suz” (Gaull) Whitman, in turn, 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 noncommissioned female officer in the Navy.

“The appointment came as a big surprise,” Whitman said. “There are only four fleet master chiefs in the Navy who advise the master chief petty officer of the Navy. Being selected as a fleet from a pool of 16 force master chiefs was humbling and an honor to serve at the highest level.”

The history-making appointment might have been a surprise, but a Navy career didn’t come out of left field. She had cultivated a love of the sea during family trips near coastal Maine, where her mother, Pat, had grown up.

An appreciation for the Navy would be instilled back home, too. Each Sunday, there were family visits where she heard sea stories from her uncle Mike Gaull, a Marine who was at Iwo Jima when the iconic flag was raised, and from her father, Charlie Gaull, who served in the Navy aboard the USS Edesto.

Despite her fascination with the sea and service, there was mixed reaction on the home front when she announced her enlistment.

“Some of my peers were supportive and some were just, ‘You are crazy,’ ” Whitman said. “My mother was very happy. My sisters, Wendy Munson and Tina Porter, were supportive. However, my father was resistant because he served in 1955, and the Navy was very different at that time. He told me that I would not make it through boot camp.

“As I got on the bus to say goodbye, we both had tears in our eyes. That is when I knew my pops was proud of my decision to join. However, I still needed to prove him wrong.”

See WHITMAN, page 7

THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

S H E WA N T E D TO H E L P B U T M A D E H I STO RY I N ST E A D

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

4

HERE TO HELP

Decades after his military service, Brad Oeder continues to serve his community

A

By JAYCE EUSTICE

s a young man growing up in Bureau Junction, Brad Oeder always knew service would be in his future.

“I knew from day one,” he said.

His life journey brought him into military service as far away from home as Japan. Now, at 75 years old, Oeder conScott Anderson tinues to do his part to make his community a better place. Veteran Brad Oeder poses next to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Oct. 27 in Princeton.

Military service always was in Oeder’s blood. His father served in the U.S. Army in World War II and his grandfather served in World War I and WWII. He also didn’t know it at the time of service, but his wife Connie was able to track his lineage back to the days of Napoleon.

“She’s done a lot of genealogy work,” Oeder said. “I’ve had a history of military service in my family as far back as Napoleon. It doesn’t mean anything, but it’s kind of neat to see that.”

Oeder’s biggest influence, however, was his father who was wounded in Tunisia, Africa. After his recovery, his father became a military police officer and later served in Germany during WWII. Oeder signed up for the delayed enlistment program in the Air Force in 1967 after leaving Illinois Valley Community College. Oeder served from 1968 to 1972 in Air Force Communications and earned a rank of senior airman.

He attended tech school in Biloxi, Mississippi, before he was stationed in Tokyo, for three years at Fuchu Air Station. In Japan, Oeder was joined by his wife, who gave birth to their son while stationed there.

“Japan’s a beautiful country,” Oeder said. “People are polite. The young kids over there were taught English, so if you needed to talk to somebody, a student could translate for you.”

Oeder said his job in Japan was very stressful. He was stationed at a headquarters that oversaw communications throughout the world during the Vietnam War. Bases under the responsibility of the headquarters include Air Force,

Naval and Marine bases in Japan, Hawaii and more, he said.

During his service, Oeder fell ill with a collapsed lung and ended up spending four days at a 1,200-bed hospital in Tachikawa where the wounded from Vietnam were being treated, he said.

“Seeing all of these young, wounded and torn up young men from Vietnam was pretty tough,” Oeder said. “I wasn’t involved in Vietnam and I was never sent there, but seeing these guys all shot to hell, was tough.”

Oeder added that the worst injuries seemed to be the burns. One night, Oeder bring some wounded into the hospital from a battle.

“That’s something that I’ll never forget,” Oeder said.

Oeder returned home in 1972 and left the Air Force before attempting to enlist in the Air Force Guard in Peoria. He said he was told that his communications training was not needed at that time.

He then joined the Army Guard out of Kewanee. He said he didn’t fit in well learning the Army ways after training in the Air Force, and left the Army Guard after about a year.

Oeder moved on to dedicate more than 25 years of his life to stock car racing. In his civilian life, many years passed before Oeder decided to get involved in any local veterans organizations. He acknowledges it was a pure accident when he eventually did.

Oeder entered a gun raffle held by the AmVets group in DePue. He ended up winning both guns in the raffle and was asked to come by and pick them up.

Oeder ended up going down to the

group’s meeting to pick up his prizes and sat down and spoke with the guys in the group. During his discussions, a signup sheet was placed in front of Oeder as he thought, “How could I not?”

Oeder was a member for about three years in Depue before he transferred his membership to Princeton and eventually signed up to join the American Legion as well.

Oeder has been involved in many service projects and community outreach events since then.

These have included building decks for local veterans, participating in Veterans Day and Memorial Day services, raising funds to help those in need, helping raise awareness for the groups that he’s a part of through speeches and networking events and much more.

“It all just kind of fell into place,” Oeder said. “These are things that we should be and could be a part of. A lot of people are more patriotic now than we’ve ever seen.”

For Oeder, this patriotism has found its way into the relationship between the local veterans organizations that has led to them accomplishing more together than they ever could on their own.

Oeder’s work with and supporting the American Legion, AmVets, Auxiliary, Flags of Freedom, Quilts of Valor, Daughters of the American Revolution and more have come together at different times to honor and pay respects to veterans.

For Oeder, much of his volunteer and service work came together when he found out that he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Princeton DAR chapter in February.

After receiving the local award, Oeder found out that he was nominated for the Illinois State Award, which he received, and the Midwest Region Award consisting of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois – which he also received.

“I don’t do this for recognition. In fact, I try to avoid it sometimes,” Oeder said.

“So many times they put me in the paper and I try to hide in pictures or whatever.

I never want to be recognized that way.

For me it’s, ‘Let me help you, let me do what I can.’ I just feel good doing it.”

Oeder has never been shy to lend a helping hand to those in need, even going outside of his work with local organizations. This work has included helping repair vehicles, speaking to local schools and being an example of continuing to help those in need.

This work also led Oeder and other veterans to attempt to get younger veterans involved in the local organizations as their membership continues to age.

Oeder said that in 10 years it’ll be tough to maintain the organizations without the involvement of younger veterans.

Despite continuing to reach out to younger veterans, Oeder said he continues to enjoy the time he spends helping those in need and raising awareness. For him, even thought his military service ended almost 50 years ago, he continues to serve his community.

“I loved serving my country, I really did,” Oeder said. “I love being in the American Legion and I love being a member of AmVets. I love the camaraderie of the guys. Every day it is phenomenal.”

5

Hector Gomez used military past to shape future

By JAYCE EUSTICE

W

hen Hector Gomez was in high school in 1983, he, like many across America, saw and heard about the bombing at the Beirut Marine Corps barracks that killed 241 U.S. military personnel.

For Gomez, the attack hit home. He had come to know some of his sister’s friends who had joined the Marine Corps. Now, 40 years later, Gomez still remembers the bombing as his initial Veteran Hector Gomez poses next to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Oct. 27 in Princeton. call to service.

“When that happened, it kind of made me realize that was what I wanted to do,” Gomez said. “I enlisted into the delayed entry program when I was still 17 years old.”

Gomez entered the Marine Corps and was sent to boot camp in fall 1985, before we eventually was stationed in Iceland for a year.

After leaving Iceland, Gomez served in what is known as the Fleet Marine Force until he ended his Marine Corps career in 1989 with four years of service in inactive ready reserve.

Just over a year after Gomez left the Marines as a corporal, the Gulf War was beginning. For Gomez, that prompted him to once again answer the call for service.

“Being that I still had a knack and I was still kind of young, I wanted to go back in,” Gomez said.

“At the time, I couldn’t go back into the Marine Corps. I had been out for 14 months, so I decided to go into the Army.”

Gomez entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Ord in California and eventually was sent to the Middle East. He was sent to Egypt for six months as part of Multinational Force and Observers.

MFO served helped keep the peace between Egypt and Israel during that time.

“I ended up there for six months, and when I went back to California is when the base closures

started happening in 1993,” Gomez said. “I had to choose where to go and I ended up going to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and finished off the rest of my career there on active duty.”

While at Fort Campbell, Gomez joined the Army National Guard before returning home to Berwyn.

He stayed in the Army National Guard until he retired in 2013.

“I wanted to do 30 years, but there were too many things that were changing,” Gomez said. “I felt it was time for me to go. My kids were getting older and in high school, so I got out.”

Gomez and his family sold their home in Berwyn and decided to take a chance on the Princeton community.

“We bought a house here that needed a lot of work, but at least we had a place to go,” Gomez said. “I didn’t have a job. We didn’t know anyone, no friends or anything. We kind of tossed the dice and moved here.”

After leaving his military service behind and eventually getting settled into his new hometown, Gomez turned his attention toward another type of service: local politics and veterans community service organizations.

He ran for Princeton City Council in 2017 and was defeated by only a few votes. Gomez decided to work harder and tried again the next chance that he got.

Scott Anderson

He won a spot on the City Council by a wide margin the second time around.

“Sometimes people would tell me that I’m not from here or I’m a stranger and people are not going to vote for me,” Gomez said. “I’d say, ‘Well, I can only try,’ and I ended up winning.”

In his political career, Gomez said that he has continued to use many of the lessons that he learned in his military career. He has learned to look at the bigger picture on issues and to lead by example, Gomez said.

“I tell people that your voice does make a difference, but you have to be involved,” Gomez said. “If you don’t get involved, then nothing will change.”

The relationship between military service and political service was a natural one for Gomez; he believes many veterans continue to have a call to serve after they leave the military.

“I gave my life to the service for people’s rights to be able to voice their opinions,” Gomez said.

“What better way to actually voice your opinion than by pointing and making the right choices for the people.”

Aside from politics, Gomez has made his voice known as an active member of the local Veterans of Foreign Was and the American Legion. He previously served as commander of the American Legion and is the VFW’s local quartermaster.

See GOMEZ, page 7

THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

FROM SHY KID TO LOCAL LEADER

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

6

DECISION OF A LIFETIME

Cody Burroughs went from the Army to local businessman

C

By MARIBETH M. WILSON

ody Burroughs said he was nine credit hours away from graduating with a degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale when he woke up on July 10, 2005, and walked to an Army recruiting office.

“I wasn’t very proud of myself. I woke up on my birthday ... I looked in the mirror that morning after a long night out, doing things I shouldn’t have been doing,” Burroughs said. “I put on clothes and walked downtown Carbondale across the tracks and the Army recruiting place was the first branch I saw ... there was zero thought.”

His desire to join was so high, that when the recruiter told him he qualified for officer candidate school – he declined despite the higher pay.

“I go, ‘I don’t care,’” he said. “I just need to join the Army. Give me the Army.”

Burroughs served four years from August 2005 to September 2009. He was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas.

During his time he served in Iraq. He left in April 2008 and returned home Aug. 2, 2009.

“Back then, it was 15-month rotations for active,” he said. “For Army and Marines, I believe. We did longer deployments so we could stay home longer.”

He said he was given a “battlefield” promotion to sergeant after only 16 months from the time he joined his unit, Alpha Battery 121 Field Artillery.

“The Army reinforced my responsibility,” Burroughs said. “At a point in my life I was not. I had taken a wrong path, but it immediately got me back on track.”

Burroughs said he wouldn’t be who he is today without the military, adding that he probably would have failed as a professional had he not served.

“I would probably be back on the family farm,” he said. “But, just working. I would not be in a conversation about whether I would take it over one day, because I was that irresponsible.”

The sense of responsibility he learned in the Army allowed him to open two State Farm Agencies, the first in 2010 in Spring Valley. In June 2022, he opened another in La Salle. But Burroughs said not all military personnel are given the same opportunities.

“When you get into the military they tell you, ‘you can do this’ but, they don’t set you up for getting out,” he said. “So, a big misconception is they think they’ve got the world at their table and they don’t.”

Burroughs said he was able to land his first job at

Scott Anderson

Veteran Cody Burroughs poses with an American flag outside his office Oct. 31 in Spring Valley.

State Farm because his wife, Ashley, was working as an underwriter.

“That’s why I got a chance,” he said. “It had nothing to do with me. State Farm is good to the military but, if I would have gone in and applied for a job, I would not have gotten it.”

Burroughs said the military needs to do a better job of setting up their soldiers when they leave, not only with job opportunities, but with mental health.

“We need a facility here, not a nursing home or a hospital,” he said. “A building that has job recruiting in it. That has options for mental health. Something that is a one-stop shop for veterans.”

Josh Pellegrini, a longtime friend of Burroughs, said that since he left the military, Burroughs has tried to become that “one-stop shop” “Values are important to Cody,” he said. “He’s a member of the VFW, he does speaking events at high schools. He supports veterans throughout the community, that’s for sure.”

Pellegrini said Burroughs’ door is always open to veterans who need help or someone to talk to.

“I can relate to you and I’m not going to judge you,” Burroughs said. “We can share things together. I don’t contribute to a lot of charities ... But, when it comes to lending a hand, we don’t have to move mountains or anything.”

Burroughs said he joined the Spring Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars in an effort to reach out to more veterans and try to keep the numbers from dwindling.

“Look at our VFW numbers in the nation,” he said.

“The VFW used to be a place you could go talk to your buddies, you could have a beer, you could vent, be crazy and someone would be there to understand.”

Tyler Thompson coached Hall High School basketball with Burroughs from 2010 to 2019. He said Burroughs was crucial in getting the amendment passed to build the new Hall High School.

“He helped raise money,” he said. “There was a competition with State Farm and they would donate to local schools ... he did a lot of promoting and getting people to vote for State Farm to give a donation.”

Hall High School was newly constructed and opened in fall 2015. The new facility featured classrooms, science labs, a STEM lab, home economics lab, tech lab, media center, fine arts auditorium, cafeteria and athletic facilities, according to the Masonry Advisory Council.

Thompson said Burroughs also was instrumental in resurfacing that track field later that year.

“It wouldn’t have happened without Cody,” he said.

“I mean, he wasn’t even involved in track, but he knew Hall needed a new one and through State Farm, he was able to raise the money and he got the track field completely resurfaced.”

Thompson said Burroughs’ commitment to community can be seen through every aspect of his work and volunteering.

“He’s very loyal, very dedicated,” he said. “If he feels strongly about something or someone he will do just about anything to take care of them and I think a lot of his friends would say that.”

• GOMEZ

That determination got her through boot camp in 1985 in Orlando, Florida, which is not to say she had fun. Days were planned down to meal times and, with no freedom to speak of, there were dark hours.

“But I knew I made the right decision,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference, and I knew this was where I belonged.”

After graduating boot camp Oct. 25, 1985 – “one of the proudest moments of my life” – it was off to Yeoman “A” School in Meridian, Mississippi.

It was during her first duty station in Barbers Point, Hawaii, that she began climbing the enlisted ranks.

“This is where I found that I had two families: the one I left and my new Navy family,” she said. “I found my niche, and I finally fit in. Before that, I was a kind of a tomboy, and I felt I never really fit in anywhere.”

In time, she set her sights on an ambitious long-term goal: command master chief.

A CMC is the senior enlisted leader who reports directly to the commanding officer or commander. Whitman had worked with some outstanding CMCs and honed leadership skills by training three divisions and running battle stations.

She later applied for and was selected as a CMC. Along the way came an unexpected wrinkle: marriage and a family. She met her husband, Thomas Whitman Jr., a Marine stationed in Hawaii, in January 1987. They were married the following summer. A son, Thomas Whitman III, was born two years later.

“It was very challenging juggling my Navy career and my husband’s Marine Corps career and a new baby,” Whitman said. “I did, however, have a lot of support from my Navy family and friends. I do not know what I would of done without everyone’s support.”

Even with commitments at home, Whitman collected promotions and honors. She served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3, submarine tender USS Holland, Navy Recruiting District Boston and multiple other commands.

She was contemplating retirement when, in June 2015, the bombshell news arrived that the Navy made her the 17th fleet master chief of the Pacific Fleet, overseeing 250,000 naval personnel and every ship, submarine and aircraft in the Pacific region.

Back home in the Illinois Valley, Navy Bob rejoiced at the news.

“It makes me feel proud to know someone who utilized all their talents to the maximum and succeeded,” Ankiewicz, who died in 2018, said at

Gomez said he first got involved in veterans organizations when his VFW dues were first paid for before he was sent overseas.

He kept up to date with his dues and eventually met local members of the VFW at a cookout in Princeton after his family moved to the community.

Being involved in the local veterans organizations around Princeton has not only helped Gomez stay in touch with others in the community with military backgrounds, but it also helped him continue giving back to the community he calls home.

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 5

“We try to do as much as we can financially and physically, but a lot of my veterans are getting older,” Gomez said.

While rivalries can exist between some veteran-run organizations in other communities, Gomez said he believes that it’s in the best interest for everyone in Princeton if they all work together.

Gomez said that while disputes may pop up, when there is something that is truly important or someone is in need, the groups work together to make sure things get done.

“We are losing veterans,” Gomez said. “If we want to continue, it’s better for all of us to work together to get everyone in the same place, doing the same things and doing the missions that we need to do.”

Photo provided by Susan Whitman

Although she didn’t know it after enlisting in 1985, Susan “Suz” (Gaull) Whitman of Piety Hill, Oglesby, would change the course of U.S. Navy history. She retired from the Navy in 2018 as fleet master chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. She was the highest-ranking noncommissioned female officer in the Navy. the time. “I had nothing to do with her success: She did it all.”

For Whitman, it was a whirlwind few years. The Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility was vast, and she engaged with sailors, civilians and family members. It was a rewarding and exciting time, but at one point “devastating and heartbreaking,” she said. During her watch, 17 died in the collisions of the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain.

Despite that tragedy and the obvious stresses of the job, Whitman said she misses the Navy five years after retirement. She does not, however, regret the decision.

“When I retired, it was the right time. U.S. Pacific Fleet was the pinnacle of my career,” she said, “and you just know when you are ready to retire.”

She spends some of her time encouraging young men and women to “take the leap” if they have contemplated military service. Also, she mentors CMCs and anyone who reaches out.

“It will be the hardest decision but the most rewarding thing you do,” Whitman said. “I was from Piety Hill, and this little girl had the opportunity to travel around the world and experience things that cannot be taught at any college.”

And although she helped blaze a trail for women – female enlistment has climbed from 7% in 1985 to 18% today – her counsel applies to men and women alike.

“Everyone in the Navy has the same opportunity to succeed,” Whitman said. “It is up to them on whether or not they want to.”

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7 THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

• WHITMAN

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THANK YOU, VETERANS

8

‘ H E B L E E D S N AV Y ’ American Legion Post Commander Znaniecki goes above and beyond to serve his community

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By MARIBETH M. WILSON

hen he was 8 years old, Dennis J. Znaniecki watched the color guard march during the Memorial Day Parade, and one year, he turned to his grandmother and said, “I’m going to do that one of these days.”

“She’s like ‘tell your dad,’” Znaniecki said. His father and two of his uncles served as members of the color guard. After the prayer was over, he walked over to his dad and asked if he could march with the color guard.

“You can’t. You have to be a veteran,” his father said.

“Well, I want to be a veteran then. How do I become a veteran?” Znaniecki asked.

Znaniecki’s family had all the branches covered: His father was a Marine and his uncles were in the Army and Air Force. He joined the Navy on Aug. 15, 1983, at age 18. His father jokingly called him “the traitor of the family,” Znaniecki said.

Now the commander of Peru American Legion Post 375, Znaniecki said he chose the Navy because “they got the first shot.” He just wanted to serve the country in any capacity he could.

“After seeing them guys, the pride they had,” he said. “I went to the recruiting office and I was hooked.”

He went on to serve four years. With a brief absence, he served 20 years. Znaniecki retired Oct. 31, 2004.

“I got out for about a year – I was bored to death,” he said. “I mean going out to sea, you can’t explain it. When you see nothing but water, it’s calm, almost like glass under the moon. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

Although he loved the open ocean, during his time in the Navy he looked forward to shore duty, coming back home to recruit new members – eventually taking over the office for the man who recruited him, Robert ‘Navy Bob’ Ankiewicz.

After retiring, Znaniecki joined the American Legion and served as senior vice commander under

Scott Anderson

Dennis Znaniecki, commander of the American Legion Post 375 in Peru, poses for a photo at the Veterans Memorial on Oct. 26 at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru.

Ankiewicz. Znaniecki took over for him as commander in 2018 after Ankiewicz was diagnosed with cancer.

Kathy Ankiewicz, Robert’s wife, said there was nothing Znaniecki wouldn’t do to help another person and takes pride in every aspect of his duty.

“He’s always been there,” she said. “From the time we got involved with stuff, he was always there to help. Do whatever needs to be done. When my husband was sick he took over all the organizations for him.”

Znaniecki is the commander of the Peru Veterans Memorial Group, vice president of La Salle County Veterans Assistance Commission, a member of the VA Home Advisory Commission and a trustee for the Peru River Rescue Station.

After Robert Ankiewicz died, Znaniecki made it his mission to ensure the American Legion was able to fulfill one of his last wishes by purchasing a new van for the Illinois Valley Veterans Home.

“They built up the poppy money every year,” Kathy Ankiewicz said. “They knew when my husband was alive, it was something he always wanted to give – and they provided it within two years after my husband’s passing.”

The American Legion purchased a veteran’s home in 2019 for $70,000. They dedicated the van to Ankiewicz for his investments and dedication to the project.

“It meant a lot to Dennis, it meant a lot to Navy Bob to be able to purchase it,” Senior Vice Com-

mander of the Peru American Legion Post 375 Phil Valle said. “It means a lot to all veterans.”

Znaniecki said the veterans home always has been an important project to him.

“The Legions and the VFW, I’m a part of both of them and their sole purpose is to help veterans,” he said. “If it wasn’t for their sacrifices, where would we be today? So, I think I owe it to them to do whatever I can for that veterans home.”

The 15-seat, handicapped-accessible van is used to transport veterans to their doctor’s appointments. In 2020 the Peru American Legion and VFW planned to buy a van for the veterans home to transport veterans to Hines VA and other hospitals, but it was put on hold when the pandemic hit.

In August, Znaniecki brought The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Peru, in an effort to raise funds for the second van and to honor those who served.

The Wall is a 60% scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. It stands 6 feet tall, and spans almost 300 feet wide.

Along with the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, residents had the opportunity to view a replica of the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, and the 9/11 first responders wall.

It usually takes a year for a city to get everything set up to have The Wall, but Znaniecki was able to accomplish it in eight months.

See ZNANIECKI, page 9

9

Medal of Honor recipient Robert J. Miller saved lives

By DAVID RUTTER

R

obert J. Miller had the future figured out when he attended

Wheaton North High School.

He learned Latin, played musical instruments, plus virtually every sport, and taught children with autism. He was ambitious in the best definition of that, and amazingly capable at everything he tried.

He most wanted to enter the Naval Academy.

That was derailed because he was colorblind.

When the 9/11 terrorist attack occurred, he joined the Army and became a Special Forces (Green Beret) weapons specialist. He signed for two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

On his second tour, he ran into an ambush in January 2008.

He and his unit were pinned down and faced being wiped out. In the swarm of gunfire, Miller was shot in his upper torso. According to his Army profile, the 24-year-old sergeant ignored the wound, pushed the fight, and moved to draw fire from more than 100 enemy fighters upon himself.

He then again charged forward through an open area to help his teammates safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire.

According to Army witnesses, his valor ultimately saved the lives of seven of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers.

Miller was the second of eight children of Phil and Maureen Miller.

He was granted the Medal of Honor posthumously by President Barack Obama in 2010.

No one seemed to mind that he was colorblind.

U.S. Army photo

Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller enjoys some downtime while deployed in Afghanistan. Miller was killed on Jan. 25, 2008, while saving the lives of other coalition forces during battle.

• ZNANIECKI

Continued from page 8 “It was an absolutely moving experience for me,” he said. “Seeing some of our members open up at the wall when they are standing at their posts telling us about their experience.”

Valle said seeing The Wall in Peru after seeing it in Washington, D.C. was an emotional experience.

“Personally, I have a personal friend whose name is on the wall,” he said. “He and I served together in the same squadron overseas. He was a very good friend.

“They call it the wall that heals, and when I visited The Wall in Washington, D.C., I was able to make an etching of his name and finally have some closure. The fact that it came here gave our entire community the opportunity to witness it and be a part of it.”

Znaniecki said The Wall had the result he wanted for the community and the veterans. They broke even on the cost but were able to raise $61,500 for another veterans van. It will say it was donated by the veterans and citizens of the Illinois Valley.

Tom Sistak For Shaw Media

Dennis Znaniecki of the Peru American Legion Post 375 speaks during an Aug. 26 ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru as the community remembered those who died in the Vietnam Conflict with a visit from the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, which was on put on display in Peru.

Kathy Ankiewicz said Znaniecki’s dedication to providing for not only the veterans home but other veterans in the area is unparalleled.

“Dennis goes out of his way for any veteran,” she said. “He spends his own money, he gives his time to anyone who may need it. He bleeds Navy.”

SM-PR2116782

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11

Air Force veteran Brent Thomas views coaching as ‘extension of the classroom’

A

By KEVIN CHLUM

couple years after graduating from Ottawa High School, Brent Thomas tried community college but decided it wasn’t for him.

“It wasn’t working out,” Thomas said. “I needed something a little bit more focused.”

That led him to the military.

Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1995 to 2004. He got married, and Thomas and his wife, Karen, joined the Air Force together.

Thomas’ military experience led him to his current job as a special education teacher and coach at La Salle-Peru High School.

“My time in the military working with younger troops and new troops when they came in, and my time working as a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor (in the Air Force), those things sort of laid the ground work to moving into the civilian world working as an educator and then moving into coaching, which is just a further extension of the classroom.”

After enlisting, Thomas went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Part of his tech school was there, and the other half was at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Thomas then went to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where he served as a military police officer, which in the Air Force is called security forces.

He also served as a trainer in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which led to his pursuit of teaching after he left the military.

“I worked what they call ‘flight,’ where I was a law enforcement troop, so that meant I was doing base entry for the first few years until you learn the job a little better,” Thomas said.

“From there, I was doing regular police-type jobs. I was in a patrol car pulling people over for speeding, going to robberies, all those kind of things.

“Later on, I became a desk sergeant, so I was the one who was dispatching patrols and doing reports and that sort of thing, making sure the flight was running properly.”

Thomas also had stints in southern Italy and Honduras.

Thomas was in Italy in the summer of 1997, helping the mission against Slobodan Milosevic, the president of Serbia who later was indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide.

“It was the same type of role, but our mission had changed a little bit,” Thomas said. “We were in a support role to stop what he was doing.”

In Honduras, he was stationed at Soto Cano Air Base.

“We had regular security missions, regular base military police-type missions, but we also had medical missions and drug interdiction missions, where you would work with civilian counterparts in the local areas,” Thomas said.

When it was time to reenlist, Thomas returned for six years, while his wife, who was a surgical tech, did a four-year stint so the couple could stagger their exits for their two daughters.

In 2004, after leaving the Air Force,

Scott Anderson

Brent Thomas, an Air Force veteran and assistant boys swimming coach at La Salle-Peru Township High School, poses for a photo Oct. 10 at La Salle-Peru High School.

Thomas went to Illinois State University to get his undergraduate degree in history education. He started teaching in 2008 and became a special education teacher in 2010.

Thomas also has taught at Earlville, the Kishwaukee Education Consortium in DeKalb, Serena, and now is in his second year at L-P. “Through some work experiences and life experiences, I found my way to special education and have been doing that ever since,” Thomas said. “This is only my second year at L-P, but it’s been fantastic. They have a really excellent program here, so I really enjoy doing it.”

Thomas previously coached track and field and became an assistant boys swimming coach when he got to L-P. He started doing triathlons about five years ago. He’s run a couple full Ironmans, several half Ironmans and has competed in sprint triathlons.

“Since I’m a triathlete, swimming is something I have a little bit of a back-

ground in, and I thought it would be a good fit, and it’s seemed to work out pretty well,” Thomas said. “I like to coach because special education can be a little bit isolating, but with coaching you’re pushing yourself out into the community a little bit more, so you’re getting to know more people. That’s part of the reason I do it.

“I also like it because it’s another opportunity to help students learn, whether it’s a skill set they’re learning in the sport or if it’s sportsmanship or any of the other things that happen to come along with sports.”

Thomas’ two daughters, Kirsten and Morgan, both enlisted in the Air Force as well. Kirsten is an aircraft load master at Kirtland Air Force Base who flies on C-130s picking up and dropping off implements, while Morgan works in air traffic control at Holloman Air Force Base.

“They’ve excelled and done really well for themselves, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Thomas said.

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12

BORN TO LEAD

National Guard helped Princeton’s Dan Foes prepare for coaching

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS

D

an Foes left a week after graduation from Western High School in 1992 in Barry to join the Peoria Air National Guard and didn’t have much time to celebrate.

“It was like ripping off a Band-Aid and get going,” he said.

While some of the Air Guard went Shaw Local News Network file photo overseas, Foes stayed stateside, mostly Dan Foes was a steady presence on the Princeton sidelines for 22 years as an assistant football coach. He said his time in the in Peoria.

Air National Guard prepared him for coaching.

“They worked with your schedule and [going overseas] didn’t fit my schedule. They always need people to fill in at home, so I stayed close to home,” he said.

His commitment required one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year. During his college years at Southern Illinois University and Illinois State, he used the Air Guard as his summer job to pull “man days,” when his dad wasn’t keeping him too busy.

Dan Foes Foes, who has been a teacher and coach at Princeton High School since 2000, was deployed to work the flood of 1993 based out of downstate Anna-Jonesboro, doing a lot of sandbagging and guard duty, he said.

Foes, 49, got out in March 2004 after the birth of his son, Grant.

“Of course, after 9/11, we were all on high alert getting ready. I had one friend that pulled three to four tours over in the desert,” he said. “Being in 12 years, I was kind of at the tipping point. There

were a lot of other factors involved. I had a career here at Princeton. The family was coming along and I wanted to settle down. It was a hard decision to leave. It was just something I needed to do from a personal standpoint and the best for my family.”

Playing sports and growing up on the family farm in Sheffield helped prepare Foes for his time with the Air Guard.

“Definitely having played a lot of athletics and growing up on the farm and doing a lot of farm work, I had plenty of skills to do all the chores we had to do in the military. I would say that athletic background helped out immensely over time.”

At the same time, the Air Guard helped Foes prepare for coaching. He spent 22 years as an assistant coach in football at PHS and remains as head track coach. He said it’s all related.

“You got put in a lot of leadership roles and a lot of roles where you had to think on your feet just like you’ve got to do in a game,” he said.

“Everything you did, you were reacting to whatever situation you were put into and it really wasn’t that much different than putting a game plan together for football or track. I would say

there’s certainly a lot of skills I’ve used in both arenas.”

His time with the Air Guard also taught Foes how to be part of a team when everyone has to rely on each other and everyone knowing what their roles are to get the tasks at hand done.

“When I first got in, I worked on F-16s. Then worked on C-130s and I went from loading bombs and missiles to loading cargo. The plane would just taxi up and we had a lot of roles to do this and make it safe,” he said. “When a big airplane is sitting there running, you can’t hear anything, so it’s all hand signals. Everybody doing their job, relying on the person next to you doing the job.

“It’s not all that much different than athletics and having those teams understand it. Knowing your buddy next to you is doing his job the way he’s supposed to. I would say for me that’s how I coach it quite a bit. Very organized, I guess you could say.”

Looking back, Foes said he would do his time with the Air Guard all over again.

“They taught you to be very versatile. Looking back, it was a very good experience,” he said.

13

Know a veteran who needs help? How to set up a wellness check

J

By STEVE STEIN

ust in time for Veterans Day, Illinois Joining Forces is launching an effort to connect veterans with services they may need.

The effort is called Operation Connect a Vet. People are asked to contact IJF through the end of the year to request a wellness check – either a single check-in or on an ongoing basis – for a veteran, service member or member of their family.

The wellness checks will be made by veterans who help fellow veterans for a living. One is Michael Pedroza, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1989-93.

He’s a veteran care coordinator specialist for IJF. “Veterans we’ll be calling don’t necessarily have to be experiencing a crisis,” Pedroza said. “At the very least, we want to let them know there’s someone to talk to, another veteran, and they’re not alone.”

Most calls Pedroza takes from veterans do uncover a crisis. And that crisis is usually financial, he said.

A recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture noted that 11% of working-age veterans live in a food-insecure household.

Requests can be made calling the IJF Care Coordination Center at 833-4636453, sending an email to callcenter@ illinoisjoiningforces.org, or filling out Connect a Vet form on the IJF website, illinoisjoiningforces.org.

There are a multitude of financial problems veterans face, Pedroza said.

“Rent. Mortgage. Life issues, like deciding between fixing a broken-down

vehicle or getting meds,” he said. “We’re not going to give veterans a handout, but a hand up. We want to meet their needs using a holistic approach.”

Veterans’ financial issues often are caused by the difficulties of resuming civilian life after serving in the military, Pedroza said.

There could be a job loss because of a breakdown, episodes, survivor’s guilt or invisible injuries, he said.

Veterans are often reticent about asking for help, Pedroza said.

“That’s because of the military culture,” he said. “You learn to be self-sufficient, to improvise, to adapt to overcome whatever problem you’re facing. Veterans are just too humble to reach out.

“I tell them I want to work with them to get them and their family, if they have one, in a better place,” he said. “Once that self-sufficient roadblock comes down, they usually can’t thank me enough.”

In addition to providing help with

THANK YOU,

VETERANS

finances, Pedroza can guide veterans and their families to find help with housing, food, employment, health care and other needs.

Illinois Joining Forces is a nonprofit organization launched in 2012 through an agreement between the Illinois Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Military Affairs.

It’s a statewide public/private network of military and veterans-serving organizations that work together to improve services for veterans, service members, and their families.

According to its website, IJF helps veterans, service members and their families navigate the “sea of goodwill” to find the support they need when they need it.

“No one organization can do it all, but veterans shouldn’t have to wander from office to office – or website to website – to determine who does what and (who) can best meet their needs,” the IJF website statement reads.

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14

M A I N TA I N I N G S U P P O R T

Northern Illinois veterans face different membership trends

T

By NICK VLAHOS

he tale of two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts about 20 miles apart might reflect the current general state of such national military veterans organiza-

tions.

Membership at VFW Post 5036 in St. Charles is about 200.

According to Post Commander Jack Erwin, that exceeds the current goal by about 2%. Volunteerism is abundant, including a recent effort to aid Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit group that constructs affordable housing for those in need of it.

“I see us continuing to do better,” Erwin said. “We’re actually doing really well, compared to other posts.”

Among those other posts might be one in a community west of St. Charles along Illinois Route 64.

Membership at Sycamore VFW Post 5768 is about 100, almost two-thirds less than in the late 2000s. There are fewer veterans from World War II and the Korea and Vietnam conflicts, and former military from more-recent battles in the Middle East haven’t been replacing them, Post Quartermaster Laurie Emmer said.

“It’s hard to get the newer generation in,” she said about what’s become a national trend among fraternal organizations. “I think there’s a stereotype that sometimes people may be wary of wanting to check us out. They think we’re a bunch of old veterans sitting around the bar telling war stories.

“It is very hard to get people involved, and in some cases, I don’t think they know who we are or what we do.”

What some VFW and American Legion posts around northern Illinois are doing is holding their own amid ups and downs, according to their leaders.

Some of those posts attempt to lure

new members through good works in their communities. Some promote their hospitality facilities, including bars and banquet halls. Some don’t have those facilities. Some have joined forces with similar groups, to help avoid redundancies and control expenses.

All of it helps the organizations fulfill their primary mission, said Ken VanSickle, adjutant of American Legion Post 1231 in Lake in the Hills.

“We keep the doors open, and keeping the doors open helps us to provide to our veterans’ organizations,” he said. “Our main focus is the support of veterans and their families. That’s what we’re all in it for.”

Legion membership is open to anyone on active military duty or veterans who were honorably discharged. VFW members must be veterans who served honorably overseas in an area of foreign conflict.

The statewide Legion roster stands at about 36,000, said Christy Rich of the Illinois headquarters in Bloomington.

Annual recruitment for 2023-24 began July 1.

The goal for this period is 60,377.

The final total in 2018-19 was 74,236.

VFW membership in Illinois as of June 30 was 36,775, but as of late Octo-

Sandy Bressner

Membership at VFW Post 5036 in St. Charles is about 200. According to Post Commander Jack Erwin, that exceeds the current goal by about 2%. Volunteerism is abundant, including a recent effort to aid Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit group that constructs affordable housing for those in need of it.

Mark Busch

Post Quartermaster Laurie Emmer said membership at Sycamore VFW Post 5768 is about 100, almost two-thirds less than in the late 2000s. ber, slightly more than 31,000 members had paid dues for 2023-24, according to Joe Bartley, adjutant-quartermaster of the Springfield-based state organization.

Bartley estimated the Illinois VFW loses 3% to 5% of its membership annually. Statewide membership in June 2018 was 48,153. This year, from July 1 through late October, 555 members have died, but only 200 new members have joined.

In addition to deaths, Bartley attributes the decline to societal changes.

“People are just not joining organizations and volunteering like they used to five, 10 and 20 years ago,” he said in an email. “We are striving every day to portray what [we do] in our communities, what we do to support veterans and how we support families and children of veterans.

See MEMBERSHIP, page 16

15 THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

H E R O I C D AY

‘Forlorn Hope’ proved Illinois’ courage during Civil War

By DAVID RUTTER

A

be Lincoln told Ulysses S. Grant

who told William Tecumseh Sherman who told the farm boys in his Illinois volunteer army. Take Vicksburg, Missississippi, and we can win this war and go home.

In 1863, the Confederates already knew who Grant was, but were less educated about his 35,000-man Army of the Tennessee and its 22,000 rural kids from Illi-

Carol M. Highsmith, care of the Library of Congress

nois. But the task at hand was a crucible. The Illinois Memorial at the Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi. This photograph by Carol M. Highsmith is in the public domain care of the Library of Congress.

Control the entire Mississippi River from Vicksburg, and rend the Confederacy’s Civil War assets in half. Win the war. That’s literally what they had joined up to do. Lincoln had asked the nation’s citizens to fight to save the Union. It was not philosophical rhetoric.

On the morning of May 22, 1863, it called for all the courage and grit the kids could muster. They’d have to bridge the gullies guarding fortifications with planks, boards and ladders, which might be impossible. In fact, it was. The 150 who toted ladders and left their guns behind called the mission “Forlorn Hope.”

It was the most heroic day in the history of Illinois soldiers. Forty-one Illinois soldiers won the Medal of Honor for that morning’s one charge. Of the 150, fewer than half survived.

Almost none left the field without bullet holes and shrapnel scars.

They knew they all could die. And likely would.

But they went anyway. Some might survive the climb, and give Grant’s army a path forward. Miracles are impossible until they happen. That’s what the soldiers from Illinois hoped.

This would be one of those events that define why Americans revere military veterans. They not only

sign up to serve. They sign up to risk their lives for a higher cause, even if odds stand against them.

America was in peril, and Illinois sent 285,000 men to save the Union. What America was, or would be, had yet to be proved. Slavery had not been purged from the nation’s soul, and Robert E. Lee hinted he’d try to take Washington.

All the two dozen volunteer infantry regiments from Illinois had to face that month were 200 cannons and 20,000 fortified and entrenched Mississippi Rebels perched above them. The Rebels were massed along a high-ground ring of berms and hidden fortifications 6 miles long.

Sherman told Capt. Richard Wood of the 97th Illinois to rouse his volunteers and storm the fortifications. Find us a way in, he said.

On the morning of May 22, 1863, they charged.

But it did not work. It was a terrible loss though with a complex residual effect. It did not stop Grant or the Union Army.

Just as Grant proved to be dogged in chasing Rebels, the farm kids from Illinois proved their valor, too. There was a chance, and they took it.

As they charged that morning, shrapnel, musket

fire and cannon artillery sliced through them. The bodies piled high. It was a carnage. The survivors had to hunker down and gradually withdrew.

Armies across Europe had units dedicated to deliberate sacrifice for four centuries. The “avantgarde” or the Dutch “verloren hoop” risked such perils for money, fame and career advancement.

But this was America’s “Forlorn Hope.”

In the same week of 1863, Gen. George Meade’s Army of the Potomac ended the South’s only real chance for ultimate victory at Gettysburg. What might have been a more strategic confrontation finally ended on the banks of the Mississippi.

It had been six weeks bathed in incomprehensible heroics. Though the nation venerates Gettysburg, most bestow less attention and praise on the valor of Vicksburg.

Vicksburg and Gettysburg inspired Lincoln to create what became the nation’s highest military award for valor. There is nothing about the Medal of Honor or the reasons it is given that are average. The evidence and testimony to be nominated and receive the ribbon are many-layered. MOH nominations

See ‘FORLORN HOPE’, page 16

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

MEMBERSHIP 16 •From page 14 “By demonstrating that we are a purpose-driven veterans organization, we hope they see the important work that we do and how we contribute to a better life for them and their community and decide to join and become a part of those that are making a difference.”

In Lake in the Hills, Legion membership is about 280, VanSickle said. That’s an increase of 15 to 20 over the previous year.

Up by similar numbers is membership at Legion Post 902 in Rock Falls, Commander Darrell Mattson said.

Most of the 200 or so Rock Falls members are Vietnam-era vets, as is Mattson, who was in the U.S. Navy. The post has a sprinkling of veterans from Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, but some newer members are in their 60s and retired from their post-service jobs.

“They’re busy, their lives are busy.

After they retire, they’re looking for something to do,” Mattson said.

Members of the Lake in the Hills Legion and St. Charles VFW have plenty to do, to hear VanSickle and Erwin tell it.

A Legion motorcycle club helps raise money for the Lake in the Hills post. So do meat raffles and a recent chili

cookoff, for which VanSickle was preparing his recipe.

St. Charles VFW members visit weekly with veterans in retirement homes in the Fox Valley and assist with vets’ funerals, Erwin said. Such outreach also might help boost membership.

“I think just the cold sell is not that effective; you get maybe a cold shoulder,” said Erwin, an Army vet who served in Afghanistan. “I think it’s more important to focus on a person and an event. When they see us at the different events, it’s always a recruiting event, too: ‘If you need anything, call me.’”

Of course, the time-honored fraternal-organization tradition of on-premises bars still exists at many posts. Hall rental for wedding receptions and other events also is available. Mattson and VanSickle said their bar trade isn’t gangbusters, but it’s good enough.

Both those Legion-post bars offer video gambling. The Lake in the Hills post competes with four or five other such outlets within about one-half mile.

When video gambling began in Illinois, the Legion post was among the first alcohol-serving establishments in the area to have it, VanSickle said.

“I have never put a dollar in any of the machines, but it’s hit or miss,” he said about their business impact. “With so much of it around, it’s a draw, but I think it’s more an entertainment thing.”

The gambling machines at the Rock Falls Legion usually generate a small profit, Mattson said.

“They enjoy sitting there, taking a little chance,” he said about gambling customers. “Most of them don’t lose a lot of money, and if they lose a little bit, they quit. I think it does add to our business. Some people might come in just for the video gaming. They’ll have a few beers.”

No video gambling, or even a bar, exists for the St. Charles VFW, which sold its building years ago. It rents space in St. Charles that has a kitchenette and meeting areas. The VFW shares it with three other veterans’ organizations, including the local Legion.

“This is more family friendly,” Erwin said. “And there’s not a lot of overhead, because we don’t have to run a restaurant or bar. A lot of veterans are getting older, and it’s hard to run all that.”

The Sycamore Veterans Club houses that city’s VFW and Legion posts, although it has a lounge and video gambling. The sharing arrangement has been in place since the 1950s, Emmer said.

But some consolidations have resulted from recent necessity. Earlier this year, the Lake in the Hills Legion subsumed its counterpart in Cary. That post had only about 40 members, per VanSickle.

Emmer and her colleagues at the

• ‘FORLORN HOPE’ From page 15

must be proved beyond a doubt.

For that reason, Medal of Honor recipients have always been special.

All American soldiers swear implicitly to accept the risk of death.

The Medal of Honor is that oath fulfilled, even though “Forlorn Hope” was nearly a desperate, deliberate suicide mission.

Three hundred soldiers volunteered from Grant and Sherman’s unit.

Officers limited the group to 150, and insisted no married men volunteer, but some did anyway.

The air was filled with flying metal.

After their race across a blooddrenched field of 500 yards, survivors eventually hunkered down so close to the ramparts that Confederate artillerymen could not depress muzzles steeply enough to hit them. So the Confederates lobbed grenades down the banks and shot anyone who exposed his head.

Most of the 22,000 Illinoisans in Grant’s army at Vicksburg came home to make Illinois the state it would be.

They were farmers, storekeepers, and hometown leaders from counties arrayed west of Chicago, then a city of only 100,000. The Union army had been 48% farmers before the war. We were an agrarian country then.

Those who survived “Forlorn

Brady-Handy photograph collection, care of the Library of Congress

This image of Ulysses S. Grant is from the Brady-Handy photograph collection in the public domain care of the Library of Congress.

Hope” finally were awarded the Medal of Honor, but not until 1894. Each of their citations ended with the same line. “Gallantry in the charge of the storming party.”

In the 19th century, the custom was to honor those who survived battle, not those who gave their lives. By World War II, half of all Medals of Honor were given posthumously.

Sycamore VFW have been brainstorming about how to attract new members.

It doesn’t appear they’ve made much headway so far.

“We’ve been in a rut,” said Emmer, an Afghanistan-era Army veteran and former VFW state commander. “It’s hard, because we used to do so much in the community. If we wanted to do a project for veterans or the community, we always had a lot of people. But our Vietnam vets are getting burned out.

“They worked hard for a long time and hoped to turn it over to the next generation, but there aren’t many of us.”

Emmer said she’s usually an optimist, but five or 10 years down the road is a concern if the current trajectory holds. Potential new Sycamore members need not be young.

“If a World War II veteran walked in our door, we’d take him in a heartbeat,” Emmer said.

Like Erwin and Mattson, VanSickle is cautiously bullish about his post’s future, although he acknowledges the current headwinds. He also is aware how veterans’ organizations, the VFW in particular, have eligible members in the first place.

“I think we’ll maintain. I think as long as you’ve got people willing to do it, I think we’ll do fine,” said VanSickle, who from 1982 until 2002 served in the Navy. “You’re definitely not in the prosperous days of the past, but … (you) never wish for a war.”

In 1894, 53 survivors of “Forlorn Hope” finally were awarded their Medals. Another 25 soldiers who took part would receive the same award in other ceremonies. A dozen Illinois Volunteer Infantry regiments carried the heavy lifting.

Sherman’s several other assaults after “Forlorn Hope” would cost him roughly 3,000 dead and wounded soldiers. His units had been tardy to follow the “storming party” and the courage of that cost was wasted.

But no one forgot “Forlorn Hope” or its meaning. Lincoln said he needed to save the nation, and Illinois stood up, from Rockford to La Salle County to McHenry, Grundy, Lee and DeKalb counties, all the way down to Effingham.

“Forlorn Hope” became an inspirational talisman.

Grant grudgingly settled into a siege for two months. Vicksburg was cut off from help that never arrived and surrendered on July 4, 1863, a day after Lee lost at Gettysburg.

Thus within one week, the Confederacy’s chance to win the war was gone.

If evidence of resolve for that task was needed, “Forlorn Hope” had proved America’s kids were not the surrendering sort.

They stood up and faced death.

17

STATE AND NATIONAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs & Programs Gold Star Families, Homeless Program, Illinois Joining Forces, IIL Warrior Assistance Program, Women Veterans, Veterans Nursing Homes. www.veterans.illinois.gov American Legion Department of Illinois 2720 E Lincoln St., Bloomington, IL 61704 309-663-0361 hdqs@illegion.org AMVETS Office of the Commander Statewide 2200 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703 217-528-4713 www.ilamvets.org Disabled American Veterans Office of the Commander Statewide 809 S. Grand Ave. W, Springfield, IL 62704 217-793-8115 www.dav.org Illinois Association of County Veteran Assistance Commissions www.veteransbenefitsillinois.org Illinois Joining Forces Supporting Service Members, Veterans & their Families- all working to create a “no wrong door” system of support. www.illinoisjoiningforces.org

Illinois Marine Corp League The Illinois Marine 1005 Prairie St., St. Charles, IL 60174 630-564-1804 usmc1962@comcast.net Illinois Warrior Assistance Program Warm helpline and high touch holistic resource navigation and case management service providing information, resource referrals and support to Illinois Veterans, their families and caregivers experiencing various traumas.

866-554-4927 www.illinoiswarrior.com Military Officers Association of America (800) 234-6622 www.moaa.org VFW State Headquarters 3300 Constitution Dr., Springfield, IL 62711 217-529-6688

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

Depue VFW Post 4602 202 W. 1st St., DePue, IL 61322-0289 Mendota VFW Post 4079 610 6th St., Mendota, IL 61342-1702

Princeton VFW Post 4323 1549 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL 61356-8829 www.princetonveterans.org/vfw4323 Piercy-Ward VFW Post 3666 215 E. Cleveland St., Spring Valley, IL 61362-2135

Putnam County Memorial VFW Post 8324 401 Laughlin Ave., Granville, IL 61326

AMERICAN LEGIONS

American Legion Post 125 1549 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL 61356 American Legion Post 875 113 W Commercial St., Neponset, IL 61345 American Legion Post 938 111 S. Main Ave., Ladd, IL 61329 815-894-3221 American Legion Post 1043 23062 IL Hwy 89, La Moille, IL 61330 lrharvey@frontier.com

THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Shaw Local News Network would like to recognize and thank the veterans in our community. Find a list below of local organizations that support veterans.

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

18

AC T S O F VA LO R

A clipping from the Joliet News that appeared on Page 7 of the July 27, 1894, edition.

Image via newspapers.com

Hyatt awarded Medal of Honor 31 years after his bravery again see his Grundy County home in Gardner where he answered Abraham Lincoln’s call to save the Union. His wife, Melvenia, and four children awaited irst Sgt. George Theodore Hyatt of him there. His parents and four siblings did too. A fifth sibling, brother Charles, died from war wounds the 127th Illinois Infantry exem- in 1864 after serving in a Wisconsin regiment.

The men in Hyatt’s consort faced their chances plifies the Illinois soldiers from with grim determination. But maybe they could win. the Civil War to World War II to Korea to They would take the chance. After running 20 yards, Hyatt was engulfed in hell musket fire, cannon balls, Vietnam who won the Medal of Honor. shrapnel, canister, hand grenades, bayonets if they enough.

Let him speak symbolically for the gotInclose 1897, the Chicago Sunday Herald published this Illinois veterans who earned a nation’s first-person account of Hyatt’s ordeal: “For a distance of about eighty rods (a quarter thanks for answering the summons. mile) there was nothing to protect us, and as we were the only Union troops moving at the time we got all First, they were most likely citizen soldiers, not the fire. From the moment we entered Jackson’s Road professional men-at-arms, and wished to do their (Note: actually it was Graveyard Road) it was swept duty and then go home to family in the small towns of by a perfect hurricane of shot and shell. There was a constant whizz of bullets, and it didn’t seem as if a Illinois. Most of those who have won the Medal of man of us could reach that fort without being shot full Honor were presented with a nanosecond of ominous of holes. And not many of us did. The report issued choices and faced eternity. Some likely were sure next morning was that forty-seven of the 150 who had they would not make it home from their encounters. volunteered for the expedition were safe and sound.

When Hyatt, then 30, charged the earthen fortress The other 103 were either killed or wounded. I saw that shielded Vicksburg, Missississippi, from Union comrades dropping all around me …, and, although I attack, he might have considered he would never was not wounded, several bullets passed through my

By DAVID RUTTER

F

clothing. I carried a musket for one of my comrades in order that he might carry an eight-inch plank to enable us to cross the ditch in front of the fort walls.

That plank was pierced by twenty-two bullets. It didn’t seem that a man could hold up a finger without having it shot off, so thick the balls were flying. How any of us ever reached that fort I can’t tell, but some of us did. When we got there the lieutenant in command asked me to give the others a lift to enable them to get on the walls. The first man I lifted went up too high. He was shot through the brain the instant he showed his head above the walls, and fell back dead in my arms. The rest, though, went up more cautiously, and inside of fifteen minutes we were all on top and had planted our flag.”

But the Rebels repulsed the entire expedition and the survivors escaped under darkness back to the Union lines.

After the war, Hyatt returned to Illinois after being severely injured fighting for Atlanta. He entered the Baptist ministry as a missionary in Texas and the Indian Territory. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 9, 1894. That was 31 years after his bravery.

Originally interred in Lockport Cemetery, when he died in Joliet in 1900, his remains were moved to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, when it opened in 1999.

19

Time for veterans to sign up for next Honor Flight

F

By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ

or 14 years, Sauk Valley-area veterans have been flying to Washington, D.C., for free to see the national military memorials and to share their stories, laughter and heartfelt emotions.

Two more Honor Flights are on the schedule for next spring or summer, with the dates to be determined as soon as the planes are booked. There often are flights in the fall, as well, and a waiting list will be formed.

Veterans from the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam eras are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as well as any veteran facing a terminal illness.

There are some positive changes to the Lee and Whiteside programs, including the addition of several new counties to serve regional veterans and a new way of selecting volunteer guardians.

The Honor Flight Network was created in 2005 by Jeff Miller and Earl Morse with a mission to honor U.S. veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. for a day to see the memorials that commemorate their service and other notable historical sites.

Donations keep the program afloat.

The Whiteside County chapter was launched in 2009 and the Lee County chapter in 2010, both under the umbrella of the regional hub, Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, one of 131 hubs in 45 states nationwide. It serves veterans within a 75-mile radius.

Most WWII veterans have taken the flight; those who have not should sign up as soon as possible.

It makes for a long day – the group flies out of the Quad Cities about 4 a.m. and returns home about 10 p.m.

– but no one who ever made the trip has regretted it, and many make friendships that last a lifetime, said Stephen Garrington, director of Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.

The 55th Whiteside County Honor Flight was Nov. 8, 2022. A majority of the 102 vets on that flight – from

Whiteside, Lee, Rock Island, Carroll and Clinton, Iowa, counties – served during the Vietnam War. Since its inception, the Lee County chapter has sent 493 vets – 83 who served in WWII, 83 who served in the Korean War and 327 who served in Vietnam.

Now it’s branching out and will be helping veterans from Ogle, Bureau, Putnam and La Salle counties, where there are no chapters.

When they fly, each vet is accompanied by a volunteer guardian whose role is to help in any way possible, including with potential medical issues, so that no veteran – especially one that uses a wheelchair – refuses to take the trip for fear of being burdensome or not being able to handle the day’s activities.

Guardians must pay their own cost of $400, which is recorded as a charitable donation.

In an effort to make the experience more meaningful to both the veterans and guardians, Honor Flight no longer is allowing family members to be guardians, Garrington said.

There are several reasons for the change, which Garrington said has been welcomed by chapter leaders and vets alike.

Guardians consider it a privilege to serve a veteran in this way, which is why Honor Flight gets hundreds of applications from people who are willing to take a day off work and pay their own way to be of service, he said.

“We really want these volunteer

Photo provided

John Tuttle remembers his fallen brother, Sergeant George Coody, while visiting the Vietnam memorial wall during the 42nd Lee County Honor Flight in 2017. guardians to have a day to spend with a veteran,” Garrington said. “It’s a good way for them to understand what veterans are going through.

“If they’re going to take a day off, and pay $400 to go, they’re going to honor that veteran.”

Family members get to hear stories from their veterans any time, Garrington said, so this opens an opportunity for a veteran to make a new friend. They often feel more comfortable sharing stories of their service with those who haven’t heard them.

By sending along a stranger, “we are establishing a special new relationship outside of the family,” Garrington said.

Honor Flight officials learned that the veteran often was paying the guardian’s fee, which was not the intent of the program, and that choosing a family member to take sometimes caused unnecessary strife, Garrington said.

In any event, only about one-third of the guardian applications in the past came from family members, he said, and exceptions can be made: Honor Flight will consider a request by any family member who has a specific reason for wanting to accompany a vet.

How to apply

Veterans who served in World War II between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, in the Korean War from June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1956, or in the Vietnam War from Dec. 28, 1961, to June 7, 1976, will qualify for the Honor Flight, as will veterans facing terminal illnesses.

To volunteer or for information on the local Honor Flight efforts, call Jim Travi or Tom Bushman of the Lee County chapter at 815-535-8047 or 815-440-3054, or contact Gary Farral of the Whiteside County chapter at gfar.1947@yahoo.com. They also can provide applications.

Go to HonorFlightQC.org or the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities Facebook page, or call 563-388-3592 for applications or information.

To donate

Tax-deductible corporate or individual donations can be made to: • Lee County Honor Flight Committee, P.O. Box 986, Dixon, IL 61021 • Whiteside County Honor Flight, P.O. Box 400, Sterling, IL 61081 Trinity Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises money for local Honor Flights. Call Brett Nicklaus of Trinity Insurance and Financial Services at 915-288-5800, or go to trinityifs.com/trinity-cares to donate or for information.

THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

EMOTIONAL JOURNEY

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

20

Native American artifacts on display at Hennepin library Display will be up through November SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The Putnam County Public Library District in Hennepin has a display of Native American artifacts on loan from Lonna Nauman.

Dolls, pottery, books, arrowheads and baskets, among other items, are on display. This display will be up through November.

For information or to submit a collection to display at the Hennepin Library, 214 N. Fourth St., email Matt Miller at mmiller@putnamcountylibrary.org.

Photos provided by Matt Miller

The Putnam County Public Library District in Hennepin has Native American artifacts on loan from Lonna Nauman on display.

Gabrielle Doyle displays dependability, service, leadership, patriotism SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Putnam County High School announced Gabrielle Doyle was named the 2023-24 Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award winner.

The DAR Good Citizens Award is selected by the faculty and staff of Putnam County High School based on the qualities of dependability, service,

leadership and patriotism.

This award is sponsored by the Chief Senachwine DAR chapter.

Doyle is the daughter of Gabe and Angela Doyle, of Granville. She has shown all of these award winning qualities in and around Putnam County High School. She plans to pursue a degree in finance starting at Illinois Valley Community College and transfer to an undecided university.

Granville American 21 Legion Post 180, PC VFW Post to hold ceremony Nov. 10 SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Photo provided by Tyler Ellena

Gabrielle Doyle is the 2023-24 Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award winner.

The Granville American Legion Post 180 and the Putnam County VFW Post 9824143 will be conducting a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the Granville Veterans Park on Main Street.

In case of inclement weather, the services will be held at the Granville American Legion Hall. The public is invited to attend.

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THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

PCHS names DAR award winner

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

22

EYES ON ENTERPRISE Stephanie Jaquins Habanero’s opened this fall at the former home of Cajun Connection in Utica, and local residents may have noticed some familiar faces.

The family-owned business is a sister restaurant to Jalapeno’s in Peru and is owned by Edgar Delgado and his sister, Cynthia Delgado.

“Everybody that goes to Jalapeno’s, they come here and they go, ‘Oh, my God, you’re over here.’ They seem surprised,” Edgar Delgado said. “Basically, it’s the same vibe at Jalapeno’s they receive here. There’s no difference.

Same service and almost the same faces.”

He said the building at 2958 Route 178 was a great location for them to expand because there are no Mexican restaurants in Utica.

The restaurant’s menu is similar to Jalapeno’s with appetizers, dips, nachos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, Derek Barichello

See EYES ON ENTERPRISE, page 24

Habanero’s recently opened in Utica in the former location of Cajun Connection.

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THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Habanero’s opens in former Cajun Connection

23

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

THANK YOU, VETERANS

EYES ON ENTERPRISE 24 •Continued from page 23 burritos, chicken, steaks, fajitas, vegetarian options, tacos and barbecue, among other items.

The restaurant also offers desserts, wine, margaritas and other cocktails.

Each table also receives a fresh bowl of salsa and offers daily specials.

To newcomers, Edgar Delgado recommends the Texas fajitas, which is grilled chicken, steak or shrimp with green bell peppers, onions and tomatoes.

The restaurant has a bar and patio, and customers will find photo canvasses showcasing the beauty of the Starved Rock area by local photographer Paula Guttilla throughout.

Takeout is available, and online orders are accepted at habanerosutica.com.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Record seller to offer items at Ottawa store

Groovy Dog Records will have a few hundred albums to flip through at Main Street Spaces, 221 W. Main St., Ottawa.

Groovy Dog Records used to operate its own storefront in Peru but sold

records from Hometown Shoppes in Northpoint Plaza in Streator.

Businesses close for season

As the temperatures drop, some seasonal businesses have announced their closures.

The tables and chairs were being cleared away Monday from Mill Street in downtown Utica. Mill Street outdoor dining wrapped for the season.

Additionally, Route 34 Drive-In Theatre in Earlville had its last showings over the weekend. In a Facebook post, the owners thanked their customers for supporting them during their shortened season and said they will reopen in the spring.

Boggio’s Orchard and Produce in Granville also announced it has closed for the season. Kane Family Farms in Ottawa was selling the last of its inventory for the season Monday.

The 252, located at the Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, closed for the season.

• The Times / NewsTribune / Bureau County Republican is committed to keeping readers up to date with business happenings in the area. Much of our reporting relies on what we see and hear, but we’re also reaching out to readers for tips on business items. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email newsroom@mywebtimes.com.

Charles Van Horn

Route 34 Drive-In Theatre in Earlville had its final showings over the weekend. In a Facebook post, the owners thanked their customers for supporting them during their shortened season

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PUTNAM COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL, FIRST QUARTER 2023-24 HIGH HONOR ROLL Freshmen Peyton Barto, Cadence Breckenridge, Brooklin Brown, Itaty Castro, Emberlyn Cwikla, Caden Ellena, Daphne Heeley, Patrick King, Maya Lenczewski, Zachary LeQuia, Veronika Mack, Alexis Margis, Payton Olson, Timmber Skinner, Rodolfo Villagomez, Jaxon Weger, Sarah Wiesbrock Sophomore Nolan Bence, Braden Bickerman, Cadience Bickett, Jaden Busch, Greta De Boer, Johana Del Abra, Jackson Delhotal, Ella Irwin, Nathaniel Johll, Derick Kauffman, Addalynn Leatherman, Ryan Oliver, Ella Pyszka, Alexander Rodriguez, Sydney Samek, Teaghan Sarver, Carson Schlosser, Annamae

Smith, Johnathon Stunkel, Eric Vipond, Brayden Zuniga, Devin Zupec

Juniors Cole Abraham, Chloe Andersen, Ethan Askeland, Emelia Bouxsein, Mason Brannon, Drew Carlson, Kacie Coleman, Deacon Cwikla, Jacob Edens, Alexis Glenn, Julian Goulding, Bailey Herr, Enzo Holocker, Phoebe Kammer, Meredith Lamis, Garrett Luke, Miles Main, Lisa Myres, Courtney Oliver, Caitlyn Sager, Anna Sandberg, Broedy Sandberg, Matthew Schennum, Ayden Serrine, Jaden Siegmann, Margaret Spratt, Hannah Taliani, Lily Thompson, Valeria Villagomez, Amos Vincent, Daric Wiesbrock Seniors Allen, Kylee; Avila, Esmeralda; Baker, Blake; Balma, Trevor; Boggio, Madison; Breckenridge, Salina; Christiansen, Camryn;

Cimei, Hailey; Cwikla, Conlan; Dauck, Hayden; Dove, Joshua; Doyle, Gabrielle; Durbin, Alyssa; Fluech, Alyssa; Grant, Emelia; Gualandi, Tucker; Harris, Orlando; Hatton, Ava; Henderson, Emma; Henderson, Lauren; Johnson, Sarah; Keesee, Logan; McCook, Claire; Moore, Kylee; Moutray, Avery; Myres, Alexander; Nelson, Christopher; Pohlson, Noah; Reveles, Miguel; Richetta, Maggie; Samek, Spencer; Strack, Hannah; Stunkel, Paxton; Taliani, Drew; Taylor, Jonathan; Vipond, Cole; Walder, Miles; Wasilewski, Megan

HONOR ROLL Freshmen Braiden Actis, Ayla Berlin-Smith, Natalie Brandner-Dinoto, Bryson Floyd Brown, Kale Coleman, Jacob Furar, Hayleigh Green, McKenna Jagg, Justin Murphy, Shany Ochoa, Chloe Parcher, Adrian Rivera, Dakota Robbins,

Seth Saepharn, Andrew Taylor, Paige Tonioni, Kannon Tune, Waverly Watson, Kennedy Worby, Wyatt Zellers.

Sophomores Adam Acquisto, Madison Ahlstrom, Cole Boedigheimer, Maxwell Brester, Ashley Cano, Vincen Dobson, Carter Grandadam, Traxton Mattingly, Zackery Siegmann Juniors Brooklyn Brester, Isabelle Brown, Cadence Coleman, Kade Gensini, Briseis Millan, Griffin Smith, Jaden Stoddard, Triston Walter, Madison Wasilewski Seniors Boedigheimer, Brock; Cimei, Gavin; Goulding, Neveah; Mack, Roman; Mosqueda, Julia; Ochoa, Jose; Saepharn, Owen; Sandoval, Gabriel; Stunkel, Josiah; Trinidad Jr, Ricardo; Vincent, Annabel

OBITUARIES AUSTIN M. BROWN

ate soul and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Born: August 14, 1988 in Peru, Illinois Survivors include his father, Frank Brown Died: October 31, 2023 in Hennepin, Illinois of McNabb; his mother, Janet Spanos of Austin M. Brown, 35 Wyoming; paternal grandmother, Anna Marie Brown “Granny Annie” of Hennepin; daughter, of Hennepin passed Alexis of Granville; sister, Taryn (Edward) away on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at his Burash of Wyoming; niece, Natalie and nephews, Bodyn, and Barrett of Wyoming; residence. step-sisters, Elizabeth Dempsey and Sheena Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Rosenquist. He is also survived by an uncle and numerous aunts. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel He was preceded in death by maternal grand parents; Cheryl VanWaes and Jim 208 S. McCoy St. Granville.

Schaefer; paternal grandfather, Harvey Service will be at 5:00 p.m. following the Brown, one aunt, Diane Hundley and visitation at the funeral home. Cremation step-brother, Ryan Dempsey. rites have been accorded.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made Austin was born on August 14, 1988 in Peru to Frank Brown and Janet (Schaefer) Spanos. to Alexis’s Education Fund.

Online condolences made to his family at He was a machinist at Mennie’s Machine Company in Granville. He enjoyed music and www.dcfunerals.com playing guitar, fishing and video games.

Austin loved science and was inquisitive about how things worked. When it came to food and spice, the hotter the better. Most importantly Austin was a kind, compassion-

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How to submit: Send obituary information to putnamobits@shawlocal.com or call 815-632-2534. Notices are accepted until 5 p.m. Friday for Wednesday’s edition. Obituaries also appear online at shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record, where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.

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25 THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Putnam County High School announced its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2023-24 school year.

Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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26

SPORTS

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY 1980: Dave Wilson of Illinois sets an NCAA record with 621 yards passing in a 49-42 victory over Ohio State.

1981: Don Shula records his 200th NFL victory when the Miami Dolphins edge the New England Patriots 30-27 in overtime.

VOLLEYBALL

Richetta named Tri-County Conference Player of the Year

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS

khieronymus@bcrnews.com Putnam County senior Maggie Richetta was named the 2023 Tri-County Conference Volleyball Player of the Year.

Senior Megan Wasilewski of Putnam County was selected to the second team while teammates Avery Moutray and Ava Hatton received honorable mention all-conference.

Richetta was joined on the first team by St. Bede senior Ali Bosnich, Henry-Senachwine junior Lauren Harbison, Marquette seniors Maera Jimenez and Mary Lechtenberg, Seneca senior Faith Baker and senior Shae Simons and junior Malayna Pitte of league champ Woodland.

Second team selections included senior Abbie Stanbary and junior Kaitlyn Anderson of Henry, senior Lilly Craig of Marquette and junior Lainie Olson of Seneca along with senior Kassy Kodat of Dwight and senior Clare Monge of Roanoke-Benson.

Honorable mention also went to seniors Aubree Acuncius of St. Bede, Teagan Johnson of Seneca, Kaiden Connor of Woodland, Maggie Luginbuhl of Roanoke-Benson, Abbie McNear and Morgan Cochran of Lowpoint-Washburn, Madeline Wallington of Midland, junior Audry McNabb of Seneca and freshmen Grace Longmire of Woodland and Claire Sandeno of Dwight.

Scott Anderson file photo

Putnam County’s Maggie Richetta tries to squeeze a spike past Marquette’s Lily Craig and teammate Maera Jimenez on Sept. 7 at Putnam County High School.

NEWSTRIBUNE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: PUTNAM COUNTY’S MAGGIE RICHETTA

MAGGIE RICHETTA Putnam County, senior, volleyball Richetta had a big week to close the regular season to help the Panthers to three wins.

She had 26 digs, seven kills, six points and five blocks against Earlville; 17 digs, eight kills, 11 points and four blocks against Henry-Senachwine; and six kills, four blocks and four digs against Seneca.

The next week, Richetta helped the Panthers to wins over DePue and St. Bede to reach the Class 1A Putnam County Regional championship, where PC’s season ended with a loss to Wethersfield.

“Maggie is always such a huge leader on the court for us,” PC coach Amy Bell said. “She really came through with some huge blocks in addition to her aggressive attacks. She did an amazing job mixing up her shots and coming through in the clutch with key kills. She was all over the court in the back row, leading us in digs as well. I’m so proud of her hard work this whole season.”

For her performance, Richetta was voted the NewsTribune Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 16, sponsored by Sullivan’s, Grasser’s Plumbing & Heating and Central Bank.

Richetta answered some questions from NewsTribune sports editor Kevin Chlum.

When did you start playing volleyball, and how did you get into it?

Richetta: I started playing volleyball in sixth grade. I decided to play because I enjoyed sports and wanted something to do.

What do you like about playing volleyball?

Richetta: I like the friendships that I have made through playing the sport.

What makes you a good volleyball player?

Richetta: I think my drive to win and competitiveness makes me a good volleyball player.

What is your favorite sports memory?

Richetta: Achieving my goal of 750 varsity kills.

What is the best Halloween costume you ever wore?

Richetta: When I was younger, I dressed up as a monarch butterfly and my mom did my face paint.

What is the best candy to get on Halloween?

Richetta: Reese’s or Twix.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Richetta: I would travel to Italy because of the architecture, art and food.

With what food could you win an eating contest?

Richetta: Chicken wings.

If you could get advice from anyone, who would it be and why?

Richetta: Andi Jackson, one of Nebraska’s middle hitters, because she’s been very successful on a great [Division] I team as a freshman this year and because she plays the same position as me.

What are your thoughts on your individual performance?

Richetta: I think I had a good week.

Overall, my team played great. I’m also very happy I achieved 750 kills at the Mendota tournament.

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: IVCC PREVIEW

Coach expects team ‘to be competitive’ despite inexperience

KEVIN CHLUM

kchlum@shawmedia.com The IVCC men’s basketball team has been overhauled entering the 2023-24 season.

The Eagles have only one sophomore, La Salle-Peru graduate Wes Ruppert, who saw limited action last season, and welcome a class of 10 freshmen. IVCC also has a new assistant coach, former player Rahim McKee-Strong, a DePue graduate.

“Although we are very young, I do expect us to be competitive,” IVCC coach Chris Herrmann said. “I understand what we’re up against in our region. I knew I had to add more firepower offensively to our roster and get more athletic to compete. We are not a very deep team. We started with 14 and are down to 11 due to injury, illness and another who decided not to play. This can be a double-edged sword. I think we have nice chemistry, but if we have any further injuries, it will make it difficult to practice the way we want.”

Herrmann said adding length and quickness at the guard and wing positions was key to being competitive. The Eagles added Roderick Watson-Pearcey and Qu’Amar Hobbs, a pair of 6-foot-4 guard/forwards from Tampa, Florida; Marrion Wells, a 6-3 guard from Hammond, Indiana; and Roko Jurasovic, a 6-9 forward from Croatia.

“These guys have nice length, are good athletes and can defend and score,” Herrmann said.

Wade Sims from Thornridge, whom Herrmann called very talented, will play point guard along with Trystan Riddle of Thornwood and La Salle-Peru graduate London Cabrera.

“Wade is a powerfully built guard who can score in a variety of ways,” Herrmann said. “Trystan Riddle has looked good and can direct the team, and London Cabrera has showed marked improvement throughout the preseason.”

Roko Kegalj from Croatia, Kamarr Evans from Chicago and Streator graduate Amarrion Ford, who will join the team in January, are shooters who Herrmann said “are capable of heating up.”

Ruppert will see action this year, as well.

“He has become a tenacious rebounder who understands his role,” Herrmann said.

Shaw Local News Network file photo

IVCC men’s basketball coach Chris Herrmann, seen in 2019, will lead an inexperienced team this season with only one sophomore and 10 freshmen.

IVCC opens with home nonconference games against Illinois Central on Nov. 1 and Madison on Nov. 4 before hitting the road to play Waubonsee on Nov. 7.

“Our schedule is very tough, as usual,” Herrmann said. “We will have seven games against opponents that are ranked in the top 20 in the preseason poll. I feel it will be important for this team of almost all freshmen to get off to a good start just to build confidence. The challenge will be learning how to win in difficult

environments. We have to learn to stay focused for 40 minutes, regardless of the score. We have demonstrated in the preseason that we will compete. Doing the little things every possession will be key.”

The Eagles went 8-2 and finished second in the Arrowhead Conference last season, but finished 12-18 overall.

IVCC earned a No. 5 seed for the District A Region IV tournament the past three seasons, including 2022 when the Eagles lost in the first round to No. 4 Waubonsee, which

went on to place seventh in the national tournament. Last year, the four teams ahead of IVCC were ranked in the top 20 in the nation.

Milwaukee Tech came out of IVCC’s district to win the national title last year, while South Suburban College in South Holland won the national title the year before.

“I am very excited about this year’s team,” Herrmann said. “They have put in some really hard work in the preseason that I hope will pay dividends.”

THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

IVCC overhauled for 2023

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CLASSIFIED To place an ad

767 • Mobile Home Sales PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call, HUD toll-free at 800-669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800-927-9275

772 • Land for Sale Land for Sale Near McNabb. 3.6 Acres Call 815-252-2574 please leave message

833-584-NEWS (6397)

Putnam County Record Classified

432 • Auctions

Call: 833-584-NEWS

432 • Auctions

432 • Auctions

VIRTUAL ONLINE

Email: classified@shawlocal.com PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 800-669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800-927-9275

classified@shawlocal.com

432 • Auctions

432 • Auctions

432 • Auctions

VIRTUAL ONLINE

MARSHALL COUNTY, ILLINOIS

LAND AUCTION

BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS

LAND AUCTION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023 AT 10:00 AM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 AT 1:00 PMCT

77.3 TAXABLE ACRES± • 1 TRACT

100 ACRES± (SUBJECT TO SURVEY) • 2 TRACTS

The Marjorie Fenoglia Farm is located 5 miles southeast of Toluca, IL

The Monson farm is located less than 1 mile north of Walnut, IL or 14 miles northwest of Princeton, IL. The farm is further described as being located in Section 4 & 9, T18N-R8E, Walnut Township, Bureau County, Illinois.

The farm represents tillable farmland and a country home, surrounded by a beautiful setting. Farmers, investors, rural homeowners, don’t miss this opportunity.

CT

or 30 miles north of Bloomington, IL. The farm is further described as Section 35, T29N-R1E, Bennington Township, Marshall County, Illinois.

This tract represents productive central Illinois farmland.

Farmers & investors – don’t miss this opportunity!

MARJORIE FENOGLIA FARM

Representing Attorney: Ryan J. Anderson, Attorney at Law | (309) 364-2354 611 Second Street, PO Box 174, Henry, Illinois 61537 Auction Manager: Kevin Haas (309) 264-7767

JULIE MONSON

Representing Attorney: James R. Angel

May, May, Angel & Harris | (815) 875-3808 708 S. Pleasant Street, Princeton, IL 61356

Auction Manager: Kevin Haas (309) 264-7767

432 • Auctions

432 • Auctions

VIRTUAL ONLINE

BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS

LAND AUCTION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 AT 10:00 AMCT

178 ACRES± (SUBJECT TO SURVEY) • 2 TRACTS

The Blukel 1959 Land Trust farm is located 2 miles southeast of La Moille, IL or 14 miles northwest of Peru, IL. The farm is further described as Section 31, T18N-R11W, Clarion Township, Bureau County, Illinois.

The real estate is a Class A farm, contains 178 total acres (subject to survey) and will be sold in 2 tracts. Farmers and investors don’t miss this opportunity!

BLUKEL 1959 LAND TRUST Representing Attorney: Douglas J. Schweickert Schwieckert Law Group, LLC | (815) 916-7669 2101 Marquette Road, Peru IL 61354

Auction Manager: Kevin Haas (309) 264-7767

999 • Legal

999 • Legal

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT PUTNAM COUNTY, ILLINOIS UNITED COMMUNITY BANK, an Illinois banking corporation, Plaintiff, v.

KENNETH BROWN, UNKNOWN TENANTS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants.

Case No. 2023FC7 NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION Notice is hereby given to UNKNOWN TENANTS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS of the real estate described below, Defendants in the aboveentitled case, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2-206, 15-1218 and 15-1502 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that the aboveentitled mortgage foreclosure suit is now pending in said court and the day on or after which a default may be entered against Defendants is December 1, 2023.

Plaintiff has certified the following regarding said foreclosure action filed on October 16, 2023.

1. The names of all Plaintiffs and Case Number are as follows: United Community Bank, an Illinois banking corporation; 2023FC7.

2. The court in which said action was brought is as follows: Circuit Court for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Putnam County, Illinois 3. The name of the title holder of record is: Kenneth Brown 4. A legal description of the real estate sufficient to identify it with reasonable certainty is as follows: LOTS 49 AND 50 IN ARCHIBALD W. HOPKINS ADDITION TO THE VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE, EXCEPT THE COAL UNDERLYING THE SURFACE OF SAID LAND AND ALL RIGHTS AND EASEMENTS IN FAVOR OR THE ESTATE OF SAID COAL, SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF PUTNAM, IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 5. A common address or description of the location of the real estate is as follows: 415 East Main Street, Granville, Illinois 61326 6. The Tax Identification Numbers for the real estate are as follows: 02-00-069-140 and 02-00-069-150 7. An identification of the mortgage sought to be foreclosed is as follows: Name of Mortgagor: Kenneth Brown Name of Mortgagee: Central Bank Illinois Date of Mortgage: November 19, 2021 Date of recording: November 30, 2021 County where recorded: Putnam County, Illinois Recording document identification: Document No. 21-1225 /s/ Carly R. Zielinski CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT BROWN, HAY & STEPHENS, LLP Emmet A. Fairfield Registration No. 6180505 205 S. 5th Street - Suite 1000 P.O. Box 2459 Springfield, IL 62705 (217) 544-8491 efairfield@bhslaw.com 8144-936782 (Published in Putnam County Record October 25, 2023 November 1, 8, 2023)936782 To place your ad, call 833-584-NEWS Buying?

Selling?

Renting?

Hiring?

Call 833-584-NEWS to place your ad.

Putnam County Record Classified

Don't need it?

Sell it!

To place a Classified ad call 833-584-NEWS Buying?

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Call 833-584-NEWS to place your ad.

Putnam County Record Classified

29 THANK YOU, VETERANS Putnam County Record / shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record • Wednesday, November 8, 2023

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