Richard T. Vana, R.I.P.

Dick Vana, a charter member of the Greatest Generation as a U.S. Marine Raider in the Pacific Campaign of World War II,  passed away this week on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. His death notice appeared in the Friday, April 1 issue of the Chicago Tribune. 

Mr. Vana was a participant in the Veterans History Project through the Niles (IL) Public Library. His interview transcription can be read via the library's website.

The 8th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast

The Niles Public Library presented its 8th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast on Thursday morning, November 6, 2014, to honor the community's heroes and especially those participating in the national memoir service of program. After a very moving roll call recorded by Young Adult Librarian Donna Block and placed at  http://youtu.be/w31wuhmqwrs,  Sasha Vasilic, the library's Digital Marketing Coordinator, stepped up to take the group  picture.

Seated in the front row from left to right are Bill Shipp, Martha Shipp, Celine Tymczuk representing her late husband Wally, and Felix Priola. Sitting in the second row from left to right are Irv Abramson, Dr. Irwin Williger, Don Spitzer, Matthew Wojtaszek, Jack Weinberg, Tom Vana, Dick Vana, and Art Shapiro.
In the 3rd row seated from left to right are Rich Hyland, Sam Schechter, Charles Matz, retired Army Lieutenant Bette Horstman, who also represents her late husband Henry, Judith Carlson, representing her late father Norman Berkman, and Ken Lee.

Standing in the back row are Chuck Jacobs, Mike Lake, Ken Radnitzer, Russell Zapel, Jerry Levin, and Mike McNulty. Albert Dominick also attended but does not appear in the picture.

The breakfast was co-sponsored with Tracy Sember and the Regency Rehabilitation Center of Niles. Chris Hanusiak, President of the Friends, announced a renewed and increased donation of $500 to  Honor Flight Chicago. Inspired by their special guests, the effective teamwork of the Niles staff ensured a tasty breakfast was served with efficiency and charm. Library Director Susan Dove Lempke officially welcomed the veterans and the Legacy Girls as the Andrew Sisters topped off the breakfast with a musical salute to the community's heroes.

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

Additional details and photographs as ably provided by reporter Igor Studenkov can be viewed at
http://niles.chicagotribune.com/2014/11/10/niles-public-library-honors-local-veterans/ .

7th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast

The Niles Public Library presented its 7th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast on Wednesday morning, November 6, to honor the community's heroes and especially those participating in the national memoir of service program.The veterans and their guests as well as members of the community, numbering 72 in all, applauded the Legacy Girls in the breakfast finale as they performed the Andrews Sisters' Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and other favorites from the late 30s and 40s.
 

The 24 guests of honor assembled on stage for the group picture and roll call.  

Standing in the back row from left to right are John O’Malley, Jerry Levin, Rich Hyland, Sam Schechter, Leo Madura, Russell Zapel, and Mike McNulty.  

Seated in the 2^nd row of chairs from left to right are Ken Radnitzer, John Bugajsky, Charles Matz, Robert Lavery , Kenneth Lee, Jack Weinberg, Tom Vana, and Richard Vana. 

Seated in the first row from left to right are Walter Tymczuk, Max Kolpas, Irv Abramson, Matthew Wojtaszek, Bill Shipp, Judith Carlson for Norman Berkman, Arthur Shapiro, Don Spitzer and seated on the stage is Bernard Warchol.  

This year's official picture was taken by Colleen Kelly, the Graphic Design Coordinator of the Niles Public Library. The breakfast service was co-sponsored with the Regency Rehabilitation Center in Niles, IL and the office of its Community Outreach Coordinator, Anna Kolis.

Annual May Library Display, May 2010

Veterans Al Aronson, Gus Habighurst, Chuck Jacobs, Niels Larsen, Ralph Ponfil, and Dick Vana contributed service items for the exhibit.

Remembering Okinawa: 65 Years Later Panel Participants

Three Marines Charles Matz, Ken Radnitzer, and Dick Vana are joined by Navy veterans Walter Beusse and Don Lewan as they field questions from the audience about their experiences in the Pacfic.