The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Illinois Bicentennial Office earlier this month revealed the recipients of Bicentennial HONOR 200 to honor the work of 200 veterans who continue to make extraordinary contributions to the people of Illinois.
“The Bicentennial HONOR 200 campaign is one of the most important commemorations of the yearlong Bicentennial Celebration,” said Stuart Layne, executive director of the Bicentennial Commission. “These 200 Illinois veterans truly make us Illinois Proud.”
All the Honor 200 recipients have been invited to attend the state’s official 200th birthday celebration at the United Center in Chicago December 3.
The recipients represent more than 50 counties across Illinois. Nominees were evaluated based on their achievements, and on the extent to which their contributions have aided, benefited, and provided inspiration to their communities at large.
Here is an alphabetical listing of the recipients in The Voice circulation area and their communities: Robert M Adams, Winfield; Jose Alferez, Naperville; Ronald Archibald, Aurora; Robert A. Arciola, Bartlett; Terrence J. Benshoff, Glen Ellyn; Joe L. Cherry, Jr., Plainfield; Carlos Enrique Cruz, Oswego; Craig A. Essick, Elgin; Steven Fixler, Wheaton; James Harvey, Elgin; Raymond P. Jakubiak, Naperville; Tommy “Tom” Lee Jones, Pingree Grove; Alberto Lopez, Elgin;
Herschel L. Luckinbill, Montgomery; Victor Martinka, Plainfield; Lisa Ann Mattingly, Winfield; Joseph P. McKeown, Elgin; Virginia A. Narsete, Lisle; Timothy George O’Neil, Roselle; Ralph Pechanio, Elmhurst; Leo Walter Penkala, Wheaton; John Walter Shaw, Naperville; Ronald Singer, Geneva.
—Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs