University of Wisconsin Scientists to find MIA remains

"A group of Madison-based scientists is forming a team to find the remains of long-lost World War II veterans and bring them home for proper burial," writes Steven Verburg in the May 15 issue of the Wisconsin State Journal at this link.

                                     Josh Hyman, director of the UW-Madison DNA Sequencing Facility 

Photos by M.P. KING — State Journal

2015 VFW Post 7712 Memorial Day Observance at the Niles Waterfall

Color Guard leads off as rain holds off.

Historic plaque and wreaths, St. Hedwig Orphanage was located to the immediate west of the waterfall at the intersection of Harlem and Touhy.

Presiding VFW Post Commander, Tom Amarante  and Chaplain Chris Hanusiak (President of the Friends of the Niles Public Library) look on as Deputy Police Chief Vince Genualdi delivers his well-chosen remarks. Commander Amarante later spoke of the tragic number of suicides befalling veterans and emphasized that "Freedom Is not Free, and freedom will never be free." The uniformed Bette Horstman, who would lay a rose in honor of the fallen, Chuck Jacobs, and Matthew Wojtaszek were among the World War II veterans present. Bette, Chuck and Matthew are participants in the Veterans History Project.

Chicago Tribune May 24 article on the "Remarkable Woman - Mary Pettinato," Chicago's Honor Flight CEO

The Sunday LifeStyle Section story by Jennifer Weigel on page 6 profiled  Chicago's Mary Pettinato who co-founded the Honor Flight Chicago. Mary is pictured with Irv Abramson who made the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.  Mr. Abramson is also participant in the national Veterans History Project through the Niles Public Library. His interview can be read and heard via the library's web site.

The Honor Flight Chicago  salutes WWII vets with the trip of a lifetime to Washington.  Applications are available through the Honor Flight website.

 

Irv Abramson and Mary Pettinato appear in photograph taken by
Chuck Berman for the Tribune Newspapers.

Niles Historical Society Presents a Sunday, May 24, Memoral Day Weekend Event at 2pm

Ann Bausum's "Stubby the War Dog" Wins Local Literary Prize

The Society of Midland Authors announced their annual awards at their yearly banquet on Friday, May 1, 2015, at Chicago's Cliff Dwellers Club at 220 S. Michigan Blvd.






Ann's "True Story of World War I's Bravest Dog" won the Children's Nonfiction Award. Published by National Geographic in 2014,the 72-page book can be checked out from the shelves of the Niles Public Library's 1st floor Kidspace Collection at J 636.7 B351st.

 


Ann Bausum also published with National Geographic an adult version of  239 pages which can be checked out from the 3rd floor
shelves at 940.41273 B351se.

FOLD3 Announces Free Access Until May 15 To Mark V-E Day, May 8, 1945

FOLD3,the military records website - now "by Ancestry," provides access to 72 million military records including

 

• Missing Air Crew Reports, WWII
• WWII US Air Force Photos
• WWII “Old Man’s Draft” Registration Cards
• WWII War Diaries

Traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world