Annual Niles VFW Post 7712 Memorial Day 2013 Observance



On Monday morning, May 27,at the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall, shortly after 11am, newly elected Mayor Andrew Przybylo delivers  remarks after his introduction by Post Commander James Kozak, standing to his right. Commander Kozak presided at the ceremonies and later introduced Niles Fire Chief  Steven Borkowsi.  Mayor Przybylo announced his intention to henceforth honor returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with a "key to the city" presentation. Interestingly, in 1969 then Mayor Blase awarded the key to Niles to returning US Pueblo veteran Richard Rogala whose transcript can be read via the Niles library's VHP page. 

"Dirt Sailor" Benjamin Puesta stands with two other members of the VFW Post 7712 who fired a salute to fallen comerades after the playing of "Taps."





Annual May Memorial Day Exhibit





 May exhibit in the west display case of the Niles Public Libary honors America's fallen heroes, acknowledging the major contribution of Illinois native son, General John Logan, to the establishing of Decoration Day, the forerunner of Memorial Day. Major components of the exhibit include the distingushed work of artist Konrad F Hack - Death in a Corn Field, 2001 on loan from the 1st Division Museum in Cantigny, Illinois; an original gunpowder flask on loan from the Niles Historical Society, and Civil War replica artifacts loaned by the Pritzker Military Library. Also displayed is an original soldier's cap from the 37th Pennsylvania Regiment which belonged to a Mr. Neuman who had immigrated from Germany in the 1840s. The cap and identifying information were provided by Ken Schwuchow.

The library’s annual May display to honor our veterans and highlight the local Veteran’s History Project was initiated by Battle of the Bulge veteran, Al Aronson, of the US 28th Infantry Division or the “Keystone”/Bucket of Blood Division in 2009. Mr. Aronson’s interview transcript is available along with those of 51 other heroes in the 3rd floor Reference Department and via the library’s website at

http:/www.nileslibrary.org/vhp.

This year’s exhibit focuses on the Civil War, and the library acknowledges the generous courtesy of the Niles Historical Society and its curator, Dan Smaczny. The library also thanks the Pritzker Military Library and its outreach co-ordinator, Nancy Houghton.

This year’s exhibit again benefits greatly from the advice of Niles resident and World War II collector Chris Reuscher.  http://www.usww2uniforms.com/index.html.

Congressman Michael Quigley Praises Honor Flight Veterans

Three of the veterans noted in the speech below are participants in the Veterans History Project at the Niles Public Library and links to their interviews appear below.

SPEECH OF HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the World War II veterans who traveled to Washington, DC, on June 19, 2012 with Honor Flight Chicago, a program that provides World War II veterans the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial on The National Mall in Washington, DC. This memorial was built to honor their courage and service to their country.

The American Veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who traveled here on June 19 answered our nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the European Campaign to the Pacific Asian Theatre to the African Theater, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed.

I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men and women for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing gratitude.

Nick Angelopulos, Olin Apgar, James E. Atkinson, Albert Augustyn, Douglas Babitzke, David Baruch, John M. Campbell, Lester Catlin, John Ciolek, Joseph T. Connelly, Edward W. Connelly, Peter J. Cortopassi, Eldon L. Cueno, Charlie L. Davis, Donald DeKraker, Thaddeus J. Dobrowolski, Francis Duffy, Ladimir F. Dvorak, Bernard Ellman, Melvin Elmhorst, Eugene T. Entrican, Peter Eugenis, Alfred Evinger, Robert M. Flynn, Charles Ford, Rogers P. Freedlund, Wilbur Lee German, Lawrence E. Gilford, Frank J. Gliwa, George Griner, Eugene E. Hainchek, Martin A. Halloran, Harold M. Halsten, William V. Hervoy, Elden E. Holzwart, Ernest Hoskins, Richard H. Hyde, David S. Jameson, Evert P. Johnson, Edward S. Killian, Edward Kozlow, Ralph H. Krichbaum, William E. Krueger, Clarence E. Kuhlman, Walter Leslie, Aaron H. Levin, Louis G. Limperes, Edmund Lozano, Frederick Ruiz Maravilla, Emil L. Marcotte, Donald J. Marsaglia, Henry Alvin Mathews, William McNabola, Robert A. Mortensen,

Frank J. Muehlbauer, James M. Muirhead, John Mullen, Thomas J. Mulligan, Harold Nicodem, Lawrence E. Nielsen, John S. Opitz, Robert D. Pasquale, Angelo J. Pasquesi, William Payne, Sr., Frederick Thomas Pennix, Joseph Persico, Edward Richards, Kenneth Richardt, Walter Schauer, Arthur Shapiro, Joseph W. Sheade, William S. Sherwood, William F. Shipp, Edward Skrapka, Donald Frank Slapak, Calvin Sleeman, Robert N. Smedberg, Arne Sorensen, Salvatore Sparacio, Donald F. Spitzer, Lyle Claude Springer, Robert Steege, Conrad L. Steindler, Lester Strejc, Evan B. Stubbs, Benjamin Sultz, Edward Telman, William L. Tiffin, Alexander T. Valos, Joseph J. Waickus, Reginald R. Watt, Bentley Weitzman, Bobby D. Whisler, Sidney Winters, Richard N. Wunderink.

Latest "Book Sentry" March, 2013: from ancient itmes to the present

The latest issue of Book Sentry can be read on the Niles Public Library web site.

This monthly listing allows readers to identify the new arrivals about military history, especially those books providing context for the library's ongoing Veterans History Project. The only "password" required to place a "hold" on one of  the highlighted books is a library card number.

Invisible Armies: An Epic History of Guerrilla Warfare from Ancient Times to the Present

By Boot, Max
2013-01 - Liveright Publishing Corporation
9780871404244 Check Our Catalog

As fitting for the 21st century as von Clausewitz's "On War" was in its own time, "Invisible Armies" is a complete global history of guerrilla uprisings through the ages.

The Making of the First World War
By Beckett, Ian F. W.
2013-01 - Yale University Press

Undaunted: The Real Story of America's Servicewomen in Today's Military
By Biank, Tanya
2013-02 - Nal Caliber

The Things They Cannot Say: Stories Soldiers Won't Tell You about What They've Seen, Done or Failed to Do in War
By Sites, Kevin
2013-01 - Harper Perennial

The Pointblank Directive: Three Generals and the Untold Story of the Daring Plan That Saved D-Day
By Keeney, L. Douglas
2012-12 - Osprey Publishing (UK)

For Crew and Country: The Inspirational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts
By Wukovits, John 2013-01 - St. Martin's Press
Wukovits tells of the most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS "Samuel B. Roberts." Faced with the surprise appearance of more than 20 Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, the 1,200-ton "Samuel B. Roberts" turned immediately into action with six other ships.

3 Niles Veterans Make Their Honor Flight 6/19/12

 World War II  Army Veterans,  Bill Shipp, Art Shapiro and Don Spitzer  flew from Midway on June 19, 2012 to Washington D.C. as guests of the Honor Flight Chicago program. 


Bill, Art and Don pictured above are participants in the Veterans History Project at the Niles Library.

Many other pictures are available from the online  album for the day

Mr. Spitzer filed the following report which the captured the highlights of a very special day.

 "My Honor Flight Chicago took place on June 19, 2012. My friend Art and I were picked up by a Navy vehicle with 2 Navy persons and a nurse. When we arrived at Midway Airport, we waited for a long time for processing; they served us donuts and coffee. I had a wheelchair and each Vet had a guidance person assigned, even those that did not use a wheelchair. There was a female trio, the Legacy Girls that were singing the Andrew sisters songs for entertainment. We took off at about 7 AM for a flight of about 1 1/2 hours. When we landed at Washington, DC airport, we were met by another guidance person assigned to each and I was pushed in a wheelchair to 3 buses, designated as red, white & blue buses, we were on the way to the WW2 memorial, they served sandwiches for lunch, we passed by the Arlington Cemetery on the way, finally reaching the memorial, & getting a wheelchair, which was carried on the bus, we were at the memorial for about 1 V* hours, we returned to the bus, which now took us to a choice of the Lincoln statue, the Vietnam memorial, or the Korean memorial, I opted for the Lincoln statue, there was time so we went to the Korean exhibit, then we returned to the bus & went to the Air & Space Museum, where I saw & took pictures of the Flying Tiger plane & the plane I trained in, the Stearman open cockpit biplane. There was a narrator for a group of 6 Vets. They then took us back to the Washington airport, where we were given another sandwich for dinner, at the airport, the flight home took about the same amount of time it took us from Midway to Washington.


On the plane we were given snacks & drinks, then they had a Mail Call, where each Vet was given a big envelope, that had letters from most of the gals at the Senior Center & my family & Scott & friends, we landed & the Fire Department gave us a shower of water over the plane & they all stood at attention saluti8ng us, when we reached Midway again, I was amazed, there where at least 2,000 people there for us, my entire family was also there, I really was emotional at that, we were wheeled in a wheelchair down into this crowd & I must have shaken at least 500 hands, there were bikers, girl scouts, boy scouts, & many people, old & young to greet us. The Navy fellows that had taken us to the airport were dismissed & my daughter & husband took me home, they also gave us a big bag of stuff & then what they said were cookies. When I opened it at home, there was an assortment of candies & Girl Scout cookies. What a greeting we got at Midway, I even signed my autograph for a few little girls, what a day.

When we were at the memorial, all the veterans there were sitting in chairs or wheelchairs & there were speeches & singing of the National Anthem & all services were represented with flags & held by uniformed army personnel, also a band performed all the services songs."

Mr. Spitzer receives a heroe's welcome at Midway Aipport upon his return.

Korean War Veterans Association, Greater Chicago Chapter

These Korean War  veterans held their annnual Christmas Party on December 9, 2012 at the White Eagle Restaurant in Niles, Illinois.



The Legacy Girls, Renee, Nancy and Janet, who performed as the Andrews Sisters, brightened the occasion  and posed with  Charles Simokaitis and Commander Joe Henmuller at the close of the festive afternoon. Their appearance was arranged by a  past Commander, Niels Larsen.

Latest Book Sentry: new titles from WWII to Bin Laden

The latest issue of Book Sentry can be read on the Niles Public Library web site.

This monthly listing allows readers to identify the new arrivals about military history, especially those books providing context for the library's ongoing Veterans History Project. The only "password" required to place a "hold" on one of the highlighted books is a library card number.