Déjà vu all over again! “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana The recent scene at the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, put me in mind of a similar scene in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1975. Helicopters frantically evacuated American personnel when the enemy
From the vault – 22 September 2011 (revised): A nation at war, defending itself against a cruel enemy. Hundreds and thousands of brave soldiers, laying down their lives to protect their country. Millions on the home front, remembering them, honoring their sacrifices, and erecting monuments to their glory. This is
The United States is finally bailing out of Afghanistan (maybe) after 19 years of pursuing an exercise in futility, i.e. creating a stable government. It is is a move which is not only long overdue but one which never should have been necessary. President Joe Biden has done the right
By Len Wass Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Ryan Hall, USN (United States Navy), a student at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, addressed the Aurora Council Navy League. His topic covered the complex organization and intense training of the U.S. Navy’s various expeditionary commands. Units of these expeditionary commands
Visitors to the Wheaton Field of Honor in Seven Gables Park Thursday, July 1, in a tribute to fallen U.S. military personnel
By John Montesano The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club’s July 2021 Veteran of the Month is Paul Issak. He was born October 17, 1940 in Chicago, was graduated from Sullivan High School in 1958, and briefly attended Wright Junior College in Chicago. He joined the Air Force January 1, 1960.
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton continues its acclaimed Date with History series with a virtual program featuring Vietnam combat aviator Hugh L. Mills, Jr., co-author of “Low Level Hell: A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One.” Mills’ presentation (through Zoom) will be Thursday, July 1,
By John Montesano In January 2020, I departed from the usual Veteran-of-the-Month format to bring attention to the sacrifice our young men and women made in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). It was time to turn our attention to the loss of life
he long parade in downtown Naperville reveals the occasion Monday for Memorial Day with music, veterans who marched, Boy Scouts, and officials.
A Civil War cannon belches flame and smoke Sunday at the West Aurora Cemetery during the 55th annual Memorial Day tribute to veterans.
Participants in the Montgomery VFW Post 7452 annual Memorial Day ceremony assume their places at the start of the remarks and placement of flowers.
The Middle East Conflict Wall of Honor arrives in Oswego with an escort from the state line of frontline worker vehicles including fire, police, public works and a motorcade of veteran motorcyclists. The Middle East Conflicts Wall of Honor represents fallen heroes from 2001 through 2016. As of February 2017,
St. Charles veterans, Duane Buttell and Andrew (Andy) Balafas, dedication to country and community has earned them recognition in the national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing campaign. The campaign honors veterans who continue to serve in their community following active duty. Both are members of and volunteers with VFW which
Nathan “Nick” Macejak shares a big and prolonged welcome home hug with his son, Will, Saturday at AMVETS 103 in Aurora.
April 11, 2021Dear editor; Since opening in 1999, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (ALNC), in Elwood, 11 miles south of Joliet, more than 60,000 brave men, women, and family members have been honorably buried there. This hallowed ground should remain as is and the integrity and serenity must be respected
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park continues its acclaimed Date with History series with a virtual program focused on Operation Desert Storm. Colonel (Retired) L. Scott Lingamfelter will present “Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War” through Zoom at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. The program is
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park continues its acclaimed Date with History series this month with a virtual program about Operation Desert Storm. Author and historian Jim Corrigan will present “Desert Storm Air War” on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. The program is free, but registration is
The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its in-person monthly dinner meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19, on the third floor of the former Aurora Library, 1 East Benton Street, Aurora, which is a very large room. Body temperature checks and social distancing will be practiced for seating. A choice of
In recognition of and a memorial to the Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (12/7/1941)
The Aurora Navy League Council regrets the cancellation of its annual Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon and Bratton Awards public recognition. For those interested we shall gather informally at noon 07 December 2020 at the American Legion Post 84 office at 1 E. Benton in Aurora to commemorate the attack on
