By John Montesano
The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club has named Gary Hanson the December 2021 Herschel Luckinbill Veteran of the Month. Gary was born December 19, 1939 in Ottawa and grew up on different farms in the Somonauk and Sandwich area until 1954 when his father sold the farm and moved the family to Sandwich. Gary worked for pay at a nearby farm. The pay was not much, but he was fed three good meals a day. He worked several jobs during his high school years. Among them were: A&P grocery store; pinspotter at a bowling center; and Western Electric in Montgomery.
Following graduation in 1958 from Sandwich High School, Gary started working at Caterpillar, which turned out to be a lifelong career. August 10, 1962, Gary enlisted into the U.S. Army and worked in construction equipment repairer. After his training, he was stationed at Ft. Stewart, Ga. with the 169th Engineers and worked as a mechanic.
In June 1965 he was sent to Pirmasens, Germany with the 79th Engineer Battalion. He was sent on temporary duty assignments in Germany and Turkey. He received an honorable discharge 9 Aug. 1965 and returned to Sandwich. Gary continued his employment with Caterpillar where his seniority was continued during his time in the U.S. Army. It meant he could return to Caterpillar at the beginning of September, starting with paid time off for Labor Day and the next five Fridays. Gary retired 01 June 1990 from Caterpillar with 31 years toward his pension, even though his 31 years included his three years in the Army. He attributes his longevity at Caterpillar to his ability to work in any department and perform whatever job was needed, day or night with overtime, if possible. Ironically, despite his Army experience, he never did mechanic’s work at Caterpillar.
Gary was married May 21, 1966 to Karen. They moved to Montgomery and raised a son and a daughter. They were stock car racing enthusiasts and attended races at Sycamore Speedway and later at Chicagoland Speedway. They went to car shows together, as well.
Gary owns a classic car, a 1987 dark teal blue Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham 2-door hardtop with blue plush interior. They brought it to several car shows and won awards. He has been a frequent participant in Aurora’s American Legion Historic LaSalle Street Auto Show.
Gary and Karen were married for 48 years when she passed in 2014.
He is a 21-year member of American Legion Post 489 in Yorkville.
He wanted me to be sure to write that he is a proud member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 145 retirees club.