Robert P. Barsky, World War II Navy Veteran, RIP

Mr. Robert P. Barsky of Niles, IL passed away on September 18, 2013. He and his surviving wife Marty participated in the national Veterans History Project at the Niles Public Library and their interviews can be read and heard via the library web site . He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Foote, DD511, as a Machinist Mate-3rd Class. He was a member of the American Legion Post 134 of Morton Grove.

"Mollie's War," a Niles Library Program on Wednesday, October 9, 7pm

Author Cyndi Schaffer presents an illustrated lecture based on her account of a World War II WAC (Women's Army Corps) stationed in Europe and serving in England, France and Germany.

60th Anniversary of the Ceasefire in Korea July 27,1953




Niels Larsen donated one of these commemorative medals to the Niles Library. Mr. Larsen is a past  commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, the Greater Chicago Chapter.


The handsome medal was struck by the Chapter and on the front reads:

60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CEASEFIRE

COMMEMORATION WEEKEND WEEKEND -July 25th THROUGH 28, 2013

KOREA

The FORGOTTEN VICTORY

"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE"

The map shows the demarcation line and the capitals of Pyongyang and Seoul and Pusan on the southern coast.

and on the back reads:

Korean War Veterans Association, Greater Chicago Chapter.

The illustration is based on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Mr. Larsen is currently reading MacArthur's War by Bevin Alexander and In the Shadow of the Greatest Generation: the Americans who fought the Korean War by Melinda Pash.

Book Sentry, July 2013

The latest issue of Book Sentry can also 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 "username" required to place a "hold" on one of the highlighted books using the library's online Bibliocommons catalog is your library card number.





              Damn Few: Making the Modern Seal Warrior
                                   Denver, Rorke
"A gripping memoir from the Navy SEALs' young training commander and "Act of Valor" star. A first-ever officer's account of how the SEALs are creating tomorrow's warriors and redefining today's battlefield."

               The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945                                      Atkinson, Rick
"The magnificent conclusion to Atkinson's acclaimed Liberation Trilogy about the Allied triumph in Europe during World War II. It is the 20th century's unrivaled epic: at a staggering price, the United States and its allies liberated Europe and vanquished Hitler. "

 

In the Shadow of the Greatest Generation: The Americans    Who Fought  the  Korean War

Pash, Melinda L.

The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten  War  

Rubin, Richard

"For the past decade, Rubin sought every last living American veteran of  World  War I--and uncovered a forgotten great generation, and their war."







Moment of Battle: The Twenty Clashes That Changed the World
                                Lacey, James

Perilous Fight: America's Intrepid War with Britain on the High Seas, 1812-1815

   Budiansky, Stephen

"Budiansky relates the rousing story of a scrappy band of seamen and a visionary secretary of the navy who defeated the legendary British Royal Navy that had dominated the seas for more than two centuries."


 




 

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-42

Dalrymple, William

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.