Remembering the Korean War, a 65th Anniversary Exhibition, Sunday, November 8

Mr. Jin Lee of the Keumsil Cultural Society joined with the Veterans History Project  of the Niles Public Library to mount a handsome and extensive exhibition of memorabilia from his personal collection. The photographs, badges, news clippings, maps, photographs and other items can be viewed through November 30 in the 1st Floor Display Case in the library's Commons and upstairs in the 3rd Floor Franklin Gallery where the picture below was taken.

After the ribbon-cutting, Niles Village Trustee George Alpogianis, State Representative  John D'Amico, Mayor Andrew Przybylo, State Representative Laura Fine, Library Director Susan Lempke, Korean Consul General Sang-Il  Kim, and Jin Lee, Maine Township Township High School District 207 Board member, stand from left to right before the portrait of General Douglas MacArthur. The 5-star general planned the brilliant amphibious landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950 that would change the course of the war. The Korean War lasted from June 25, 1950 until July 27, 1953, concluding with an uneasy Armistice and the fixing of the 38th Parallel as the dividing line between North and South Korea. American troops continue to serve in the DMZ, the demilitarized zone.

Memorial Day Observance, Niles IL, May 26, 2014

Panoramic photo shows the line-up of civic officials facing the audience as everyone listens to Mayor Andrew Przybylo's remarks  honoring  the fallen at the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall.

Commander James Kozak looks on from the left and the taller Friends of the Niles Library President and Village trustee Chris Hanusiak stands 3rd to the right from the Mayor. In addition to the other members of the Niles VFW Post 7712 present, the dignitaries visible include Village Trustees Rosemary Palicki, John  Jekot,  Dannette O'Donovan Matyas, (also a Library Board Trustee), Joe LaVerde, George Alpogianis,  Niles Village Manager Steve Vinezeano, and Deputy Police Chief Vincenzo Genualdi.

The Niles VFW Post 7712 Members, Ted Szewc and Tom Davidson, stand before the flagpole and plaque at the Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall after the well-attended Annual Memorial Day Observance.

Marker just west of Niles Veterans Memorial Waterfall identifying  former location of St. Hedwig's orphanage and its successor buildings. The waterfall is located at the southwest corner of the Milwaukee and Touhy intersection in Niles, Illinois.

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."