Pearl Harbor, 75th Anniversary Niles Program

Today at 1pm the Village of Niles joined with local VFW Post 3579, the Morton Grove American Legion Post 134 to host the 100  multi-talented 4th and 5th graders of nearby Culver School as  they presented  a moving National Remembrance Day Program. Village Manager and Army veteran, Steven Vinezeano, served as Master of Ceremonies for the hour-long program of music, songs readings, ceremonies and recitations. Special guest, Navy Commander Master Chief Matthew Laing pictured below, delivered the keynote speech, as all were able to recall the  horror that burst upon the American forces out of a blue sky. The Marketing Department of the Niles Public Library crafted the banner proclaiming FDR's Day of Infamy Speech on December 8, 1941.

The ­program:

The student artists were Ahmed and Adam.

The Village of Niles e-newsletter of December 15 provided a link to a 2-minute video summary 
of the beautiful ceremony.

10th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast

took place in the Large Meeting Room of the Niles Public Library on Friday, November 4, as 22 of the community's heroes assembled on stage for the now customary roll call. The majority of the veterans have contributed a memoir of their service years to the national Veterans History Project coordinated by the Library of Congress. Their interviews can be read via the library's web page.

Standing from the left in the back are Fred Ziegler, Gary Warner, Henry Webber, and Russell Zapel.
Sitting from the left in the back row of chairs are Bernard Warchol, Ken Radnitzer, Art Shapiro, Kenneth Lee, Jack Weinberg, Rolf Hellman, Bill Shipp and Ray Marchetta. Sitting from the left in the first row of chairs are Richard Englund, Charles Matz, Pat Gerard, Matthew Wojtaszek, Bette Horstman, Irv Abramson, Ira Graham, Judith Carlson for Norman Berkman, and David Besser. Sitting on the stage is Celine Tymczuk for Walter Tymczuk. Other veterans in attendance were Mort Ellenbogen, Dan Gloor, Mike McNulty, Stu Kohler and Marv Winer.

Library Director and "Commanding Officer" Susan Dove Lempke again welcomed the guests of honor and introduced Eagle Scout Dan Tagliere who had refinished the memorial benches in the veterans walkway in time for the breakfast. After Mrs. Lempke announced the donation of $500 to Honor Flight Chicago by the Friends of the Library, she asked Dan to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. After breakfast, the Legacy Girls as the Andrews Sisters again delighted the audience of 83 patrons winding up with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" as they began "He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way."

Unified Niles VFW Post 3359 Observes 1st Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 11am

The former Park Ridge 3359 Post and  Niles VFW 7712  Post  joined forces this year to form

 Niles VFW Post 3359. 

Trustee George Alpogianis represented the Village.

Past Commander James Kozak laid the wreath.

Korea Veteran John Bugajsky stands in the middle of the color guard

.while  Angelo Troiana  appears in lower left.

Vietnam Recognition and Commemoration Ceremony

Vietnam veteran and Marine, Gene Spanos, receives the commemorative medal  presented by American Legion 9th District Commander Robert J. Fuggitti to the Vietnam veterans present in the Large Meeting Room of the Niles Public Library.

  Morton Grove Community Church co-pastor, Bunny Hughes, delivered the benediction while veteran and Village Manager Steve Vinezeano represented the Village of Niles.  James Harkins of the Evanston Vet Center served as the master of ceremonies.

Below is a photo of the medal in the upper right corner of the page bearing the

 Presidential Proclamation.

During the Vietnam period of 1 November 1955 to May, 1975, 7.2 million Americans served in the Armed Forces and 58,253 veterans lost their lives.

Illlinois AMVETS Plaza Site Continues in Des Plaines

Donations of household goods can be made from 9am to 4pm at Oakton and Lee in the West Side of K-Mart Parking Lot. Pickups may be scheduled by calling 708-388-7800.

Source: Illinois AMVETS, September 2016

www.ilamvets.org

Vietnam Commemoration and Veterans Resource Fair Announced, October 22nd, 10am, Niles Public Library

Evanston Vet Center Outreach Information Table at the Library

On the 2nd Tuesday of each month,

James S. Harkins, CPO USN (RET)

Military/Veteran Outreach Specialist

mans a veterans resource table in the Commons Area of the Niles Public Library. Mr. Harkins is coordinating the upcoming Saturday morning event on October 22nd  when a Veterans Resource Fair showcasing  guest provider and support organizations will be held at the Niles library. The morning's agenda will feature a recognition ceremony for Vietnam veterans in attendance.The Evanston Vet Center is located at 1901 Howard, Evanston, telephone  847-332-1019 or 847-332-101.

For assistance after hours, weekends, and holidays call: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387)

 

"Weight of Sacrifice" the new World War One Memorial Project

is being designed by Chicagoan Joseph Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard as they work toward its formal dedication in Pershing Park, Washington D. C. on Veteran's Day 2018. The $40 million memorial will add a free-standing sculpture and bas relief sculpture to tell the story of all who contributed to the war. Further information can be found at the World War One Memorial Commission website.

Chicago's Pritzker Military Museum and Library is a founding sponsor of the memorial and will match any individual's donation as detailed at www.TheirOwnMemorial.org.

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Niles Library Adds new database with military records

Fold3 is available to Niles Public Library Card holders accessing the library's online  resources from home. 

This Ancestry product allows remote access to  US and international military and US immigration records as well as the Chicago City Directories and other non-military records such as the 1860 and 1930 US Census, and the Brady Civil War Photos. The most popular collections are:

WWII "Old Man's Draft" Registration Cards ^Updated,Civil War "Widows' Pensions," War of 1812 Pension Files, Revolutionary War Pensions, and WWII US Air Force Photos.

And why the name Fold3?

"Traditionally, the third fold in some flag-folding ceremonies honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world."