9th Veterans History Project Breakfast at Niles Public Library, Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Seated in the front row from left to right are Bill Shipp, Martha Shipp, Celine Tymczuk, representing her late husband Wally, and Bernard Warchol. Sitting in the second row from left to right are Charles Matz, Bernice Torchedlo, Judith Carlson, representing her late father Norman Berkman, Irv Abramson, Bette Horstman, who also represents her late husband Henry, Matthew Wojtaszek, Jack Weinberg, Tom Vana, Dick Vana, and Art Shapiro. In the third row seated from left to right are David Besser, Ken Radnitzer, Gary Warner, Ken Lee, Joseph Matus, Harry Webber, Mort Elenbogen, Marvin Weiner, and John O’Malley. Standing in the back row are Rich Hyland, Chuck Jacobs, Frank Ziegler, Dr. Jerry Levin, Russell Zapel, John Bugajsky, Milton Langer and Mike McNulty. Veterans Albert Dominick and Max Kolpas also attended but do not appear in the group picture.

 Library Director, Susan Lempke, welcomed the veterans, their families and the community to the annual event.Veteran Chris Hanusiak, President of the Friends, announced a donation of $500 to  Honor Flight Chicago and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the Roll Call. Inspired by their special guests, the effective teamwork of the Niles staff ensured a tasty breakfast was served with efficiency and charm. The Legacy Girls as the Andrew Sisters again topped off the breakfast with a musical salute to the community's heroes, saving "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" for a crowd-pleasing winning finale.

The transcripts of the oral interviews of these veterans can be read and heard via the Niles Public Library  website.