By Al Benson
An estimated 300 persons attended Aurora’s 54th annual Pearl Harbor Day memorial luncheon and 37th annual Ted Brattin civic youth awards Monday.
The event was held at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia. Co-sponsors were Navy League Aurora Council and Rotary Club of Aurora United.
Keynote speaker was Navy Capt. Craig T. Mattingly, commander of the Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes naval base.
Special guests were veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict. They were Angelo Di Liberti, Jerry Cisneros, Duane Stevenson, Mike Novak, Richard Miller, Don O’Reilly, Lou Kueltzo and Sherwin Davis.
Outstanding area high school students received Brattin awards. They were Julie Farrell, Aurora Central Catholic High School; Grace Potapenko, Aurora Christian; Jaden Blankenship, Illinois Math and Science Academy; Alexis Magana, Marmion Academy; Jakhai Hudson, Oswego High; Megan Molenhouse, Rosary High; Anna Buchenauer, Waubonsie Valley; and Alondra Limon, East Aurora.
Chris Olsen, Rotary president, presented awards as Gretchen Timm, Rotary member, read student profiles.
The late Brattin, a former Aurora businessman and U.S. Marine veteran, launched the awards and Aurora Navy League chapter.
Col. (Ret.) Richard Todas of Aurora, Aurora Navy League president, emceed the program. Ricard Miller of Aurora, a Navy veteran, led the pledge of allegiance.
Chief Albert Farmer, Navy (ret.), East Aurora High NJROTC unit, gave the invocation. The Mooseheart NJROTC color guard presented the colors.
West Aurora High Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets Sara Smith and Claire Banks sang the national anthem and Navy hymn.
Aurora Navy League support Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at West Aurora High School and NJROTC units at East Aurora High and Mooseheart Child City and School.
Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League of the U.S. is a civilian organization which support to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Air Force, their families and youth leadership programs including Naval Sea Cadet Corps, NJROTC and AFJROTC.
Included will be the 35th annual Ted Brattin civic youth scholarship awards by Rotary Club of Aurora to area high school students. The late Brattin, a former Aurora businessman and U.S. Marine veteran, launched the awards.
Keynote speaker was Nay Capt. Craig T. Mattingly, commander of the Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes naval base.
Funds raised enable Aurora Navy League to support Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at West Aurora High School and NJROTC units at East Aurora High and Mooseheart Child City and School. The West Aurora AFNJROTC unit will present the colors.
Founded by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League of the U.S. is a civilian organization provides community support to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Air Force, their families and youth leadership programs including Naval Sea Cadet Corps, NJROTC and AFJROTC.