Military veterans and those who serve veterans were recognized recently at the annual Kendall County Tribute to Heroes hosted by Three Fires Council Scouting America.
Tribute to Heroes is held annually in each of the counties represented by Three Fires Council Scouting America. Each year, a group of individuals worthy of recognition is chosen. This year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of America, event organizers identified six different veterans/veteran groups and recognized them at a reception at Ashley Farms in Yorkville.
Those recognized were the American Warrior Initiative, the Fox Valley Marine Corps, Robert Gholston of the Kendall County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC), Kris Kearns of Oswego Fire Protection District, Wayne Koschnitzki of Yorkville, and Cliff Oleson of Plano.
•The American Warrior Initiative was founded in 2018, as an effort to bridge the gap between civilians and men and women who have served our country. Through enlisting real estate professionals, an American Warrior Real Estate Professional Boot Camp was created to help address the challenges veterans face returning home from conflicts. The American Warrior Initiative has provided service dogs, business grants, home upgrades, mortgage free housing and more to veterans in need.
•The Fox Valley Marine Corps seeks to support local veterans and their communities while maintaining the standards of the United States Marine Corps customs, tradition and esprit de corps. The group is active in local parades, memorial services, supports local food pantries, and offers scholarships to benefit Marine Corps veterans and their dependents.
•Robert Gholston is a volunteer driver with the Kendall County Veterans Assistance Commission. Gholston enlisted in the United States Army in 1981 and served for a decade, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant /E 6. He served overseas in Germany and at Fort Sill Oklahoma. Gholston volunteers because he believes helping senior citizens and veterans is not only a necessary service but something that is very personally satisfying.
•Lieutenant Kris Kearns of Oswego Fire Protection District served in the United States Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993, in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Kearns is also commander of American Legion Post 675. As the fire district support services officer Kearns is often doing public presentations and organizing community events to promote fire and personal safety. Oswego Fire Protection District Fire Chief John Cornish says, “Kearns has been a great asset in his involvement and interconnectivity in the community.”
•Wayne Koschnitzki became a United States Marine in 1966, served in Vietnam as a forward artillery observer, and is one of the few survivors of Agent Orange. Throughout various careers from shoe salesman to sales manager, to working for both the Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn in Yorkville, Koschnitzki became active in local chambers of commerce recognizing the value of networking, volunteering and furthering the companies and organizations he represented. Throughout his life Koschnitzki continues to spend his life as an ambassador for his community and a patriot, mentor, cheerleader, and friend to all.
•Cliff Oleson of Plano served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970 and served in Vietnam, before returning home and working at Caterpillar Tractor for over 41 years. He is a lifelong member of Plano American Legion Post #395, a lifelong VFW member, served as a Little Rock Township Trustee, a member of the City of Plano Planning and Zoning Committee, was an EMT at Caterpillar, a Kendall County Sheriff Auxiliary member, participated in the Jaycees, and a member and leader in the motorcycle rights organization ABATE – A brotherhood Aimed Towards Education.
Each of the veterans and veteran supporters recognized at Tribute to Heroes were given a Hero Pin, a wall plaque, and an American Flag that had been flown in each of the four corners of Kendall County.
The Tribute to Heroes event highlights the shared values of local heroes, their lifestyles of service, to the values and character-building attributes of the Scouting America program. Over 4,000 youth in Kendall County currently participate in Scouting America. There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to participate and share their knowledge and expertise too.
You can learn more about Tribute to Heroes and Scouting America by visiting online at https://threefirescouncil.org.
Barb Nadeau is a freelance writer, whose career has spanned more than 10 years as a public relations professional, 22 years as a professional television and radio host, print journalist, and volunteer coordination professional. She enjoys networking among non-profit social service agencies and service providers throughout the State of Illinois. She is in her third term as an elected alderman in the City of Plano. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.