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 and 1983 and has had significant roles in local veterans organizations in the U.S. and Canada
A St. Charles resident called the St. Charles Veterans Center to donate a ramp which the team dismantled and reassembled at the Di Liberti Mark Street home entrance, an area where Angelo has suffered several falls. In the midst of harsh Winter weather, American Legion Post 342 Senior Vice Commander and Vietnam veteran, Jeff Meisner, led the team with contractor Jason Kruseto, to modify and install the ramp and demolish the badly aging rear deck, which is the home’s secondary fire exit.
With assistance from St. Charles Warrior Wishes (WW), Bill Heaton, founder and WW Board member /South Elgin Police Commander Jim Creighton, the St. Charles Veterans Center secured a generous grant from Home Depot, South Elgin, and several cooperating Home Depot stores. Kruseto redesigned a more senior-friendly flight of stairs and landings to ensure safe exit for Di Liberti.
Vanessa Bell-LaSota, community liaison for the four veteran posts of St. Charles at the Veterans Center asserts that it was an amazing sight to see our veterans working together to bring their skills to contribute to the project with the camaraderie, esprit de corps, and mutual support, enjoyed by veterans who belong to organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America.
The team pursued its goal through a period of four rugged weeks and weather delays. Of Angelo’s seven daughters, Elgin residents Charity Di Liberti, who baked pies to thank the team, and Susan Collins, were on hand to support their “Pops”. Angelo’s wife and Legion Auxiliary secretary, Patty Di Liberti, made sure that there was plenty of coffee, doughnuts, and lunch for the hard-working team.
— St. Charles Veterans Center