"D-Day," the Annual May, 2014 Memorial Day Exhibit at the Library

The library’s annual May display to honor our local 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 52 other heroes in the 3rd floor Reference Department and via the library’s website . This year’s exhibit focuses on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. The library acknowledges the informed generosity of Niles resident and veteran Ralph Ponfil who donated the German war artifacts.  This year’s exhibit again benefits greatly from the contributions of Niles resident Chris Reuscher who has shared appropriate uniforms from his extensive collection which is detailed on a most helpful website .

3 VHP participants who have recorded their memoirs of service through the Niles Public Library took part in the Normandy Invasion: Max Kolpas (Wood Dale), Walter Tymczuk (Niles) and Matthew Wojtaszek (Niles). All served in the US Army.

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.

Remembering Okinawa, 65 Years Later 5th clip

2nd Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast

took place on Thursday morning, November 6,at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Niles Public Library. 22 of the veterans who have participated in the national oral history project through the Niles library were applauded by 60 other guests.

Back Row left to right: Kenneth Radnitzer, Russell Zapel, Ralph Friedman, Max Kolpas, Martin O'Grady, Niels Larsen, Donald Spitzer
Middle Row: Walter Tymczuk, Mike Kozyra, Don Lewan, Sam Schechter, Matthew Wojtaszek, Irving Abramson, Jack Weinberg, Robert Crandall
Front Row: William Shipp, Hyman Ray, Paul Schneller, Martha Shipp John DeCecco, William Shipp, Hyman Ray, Paul Schneller, Martha Shipp John DeCecco, Chuck Jacobs and Richard Vana.

Veterans History Project Interview - Max Kolpas

Veterans History Project transcripts and audio recordings of the memoirs of service, including transcript, audio file and searchable file of Mr. Kolpas's interview are available at the Niles Public Library, 6960 Oakton St. Niles, IL. They are also now available over the internet via the library's website at http://www.nileslibrary.org/world-war-ii-europe.