Navy veteran Chris Gaines of Aurora reports Tuesday, July 19, on a salute by suburban residents for crew members and their families of the USS Illinois submarine. Gaines addressed the Navy League Aurora Council 247 monthly meeting at Riverview Diner in Montgomery. He said 28 suburbanites went to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 22-28, to welcome home the USS Illinois after a 10-month patrol. Activities included a luau, dinner dance, and family picnic. A highlight was a guided tour of the USS Illinois. Events were sponsored by the 786 Club, a Chicago-based civilian volunteer organization that supports the crew and families of the USS Illinois. Gaines is 786 Club secretary and past treasurer. He illustrated his presentation with photos by John Shaw of Aurora and Cynthia Lindstedt of Sullivan, Wis..Al Benson/The Voice
