In December 2020, a team of 17 veterans and many community members came together to remedy two serious safety problems in the 37-year South Elgin home of World War II veteran, AMVETS Post 503 Commander, Colonel Angelo Di Liberti, 93 years. Angelo served his Country through two enlistments between 1944
By John Montesano The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club has named David Moore the January Veteran of the Month. David Moore was born January 20, 1944 in Marion, Ala. where he grew up. After graduation from Lincoln High School in 1963, he was drafted into the Army. He was trained
By Sarah Mansur Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs director Linda Chapa LaVia resigned Monday, more than two months after a COVID-19 outbreak was first reported at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home that has killed more than a quarter of the facility’s residents. Chapa LaVia, from Aurora, is the second high-profile departure
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
Quilts of Valor were the focus December 24 for military veterans.
Surprise presentations of Quilts of Valor Christmas Eve in Aurora catch two deserving veterans off guard. Josh Pfeuffer, center, from the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC), presents Quits of Valor to Doug Pierson, left, and to Richard Poitras, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran.
By Sarah Mansur Infection control efforts at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home have curbed the spread of the COVID-19 since a deadly outbreak began at the facility last month, according to officials who testified Wednesday before a House committee investigating the matter. That outbreak has caused at least 33 resident deaths,
Village government of Oswego is a partner with VetFest 141 to provide free live Christmas trees to Oswego’s veterans, first responders, frontline health-care workers, and their families. Fifty trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Oswego Public Works Facility, 100 Theodore Drive. Trees for distribution are at
By Sarah Mansur A COVID-19 outbreak at the veterans home in LaSalle that has killed a quarter of the residents over the span of a few weeks has prompted the chairman of a state House committee to open an investigation into the deaths. “I don’t know what it is or
Up to 100 vehicles will assemble in the parking lot of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N 5th Avenue, St. Charles, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, to proceed across town to the Kane County Fairgrounds, Oak Street entrance. Once inside Gate 2, the parade will encircle veterans from all four
By John Montesano The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club named Thomas Butler the December Veteran of the Month. The son of Jim Butler, one of our previous veterans of the month and Aurora resident, Tom was born December 17, 1964 in Philadelphia, Pa.. He grew up in Chicago and Carpentersville.
By Al Benson With a prayer and toasts, a dozen Aurora veterans held an informal Pearl Harbor memorial Monday, the 79th anniversary of the attack by Japan. Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 was host to the event at its 1 E. Benton Street office. The memorial, sponsored by Navy League
The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club, with an intermittent schedule since March, will hold its Christmas holiday gathering at 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 at 1 E. Benton Street, Aurora, the site of the former Aurora Public Library. All branches are welcome. Parking is available in back. The schedule will
At the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 Buddy Check, Legion Post 84 will host a special guest; RDML Jamie Sands, USN Commander of Naval Service Training Command. To observe the meeting: Call 312-626 6799 and type in: 860 4149 1814 #Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86041491814;Go to
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
By David Mercer My wife and I have a strong desire to give back to our community, and because I am a retired Air Force veteran, programs designed to give honor to our fellow veterans hold a special place our hearts. Therefore, it was our greatest honor to participate in
Johnny Kee, a World War II veteran Purple Heart recipient, celebrates his 100th birthday Saturday
By Sarah Mansur Members of the State Senate Veterans Affairs Committee had pointed questions for officials with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs about the agency’s response to an outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home that resulted in at least 27 resident deaths from COVID-19-related complications. The committee called for
