The veterans and community members in St. Charles had clear weather Tuesday, even if a bit chilly, to offer congratulations to World War II veteran Bob Pennington on his 96th birthday. He served the country during World War II in Italy in the infantry.
The celebration was planned for noon in front of his house. The parade of cars with ample decorations, without horns because of a neighbor who is recovering from a medical condition, would be a proper salute.
Such community spirit is admirable and led by the St. Charles veterans leaders
• More veterans news: The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry will hold its first Memorial Day Pantry in honor of veterans and Gold Star families and active service members. They are invited to arrive at the Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora between 10 a.m. and noon, Friday, May 28 to receive a gift of food, including meat, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-perishable items to continue the celebration at home with their own meal.
• Memorial Day will be Monday, May 31.
• Veteran Stephanie Kifowit, a former Marine, and today a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 84th District, which includes parts of Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego, and Naperville, recently was named the 2020 ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) Representative of the Year along with Tim Butler of Springfield as the 2021 ABATE Representative of the Year.
Kifowit said: “It was truly an honor to be named ABATE Representative of Year and I thank the men and women of this organization for the distinct recognition. ABATE works tirelessly on behalf of motorcyclists across Illinois, many of whom are veterans.”
• According to Capitol News Illinois, a positive force in the State’s journalism cause, JB Pritzker, governor of the State, announced Tuesday that the Chicago Auto Show will return in July. It signals that there likely will be a return to some larger-scale events with an apparent decline in COVID-19 activity.
The Auto Show would be held July 15-19 and will incorporate innovative safety measures such as a hybrid indoor-outdoor setting.
July 4 has become a watershed for moving ahead in activities, vaccines, and health improvement.
The Aurora city government plans to have two fireworks sites the Fourth of July, a Sunday, to spread out viewers to a greater degree, and to allow additional observers to see fireworks.
In many cases, it is all about building immunity with increased vaccinations.
• The probes continue in the many deaths at the State-run LaSalle Veterans’ Home because of multiple COVID-19 cases.
A probe for criminal activity may take time, however, a growing number of State politicians have added their voices to its necessity
Clear and Concise, Week 18 Year 2:
Facts matter. Too often there are denials and purposely stated incorrect facts, lies, and openly misleading rhetoric. The common sense approach to life is that we want to believe statements by speakers and acquaintances in our circles, wide and near.
It has been society’s vision to take a person at his or her word. Recent times have put a challenge to that notion that everyone is believable until we see misleading statements. There must come a time when it becomes obvious there are some individuals who see gain in lying, fabricating, and cheating. Therefore, it is up to each individual to perceive the statements of those who would mislead us. It can be challenging and equally disappointing. We must admit some individuals simply can not be taken at their word. We must say: Shame on them.