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/ .

"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.

Chance meeting of WWII 82nd Airborne Paratroopers

is described in today's New York Times on p A13, in the article entitled “World War II Memories and an Instant Connection, Chance Meeting of Two D-Day Glider Pilots ." It recounts the recent meeting in an hospital surgery of Benjamin Klein and Victor Allegretti .

Niles's Matthew Wojtaszek also served in the 82nd Airborne and is a participant in the Veterans History Project through the library. His transcript can be read and heard via the library's website at http://www.nileslibrary.org/vhp/.

Annual Memorial Day VFW Post Niles 7712 Honor Guard Prepares

VHP participant and former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Matthew Wojtaszek, stands 2nd from left while color guard leader, Angelo Troiani, stands 5th from the left.

Veterans History Project Matthew F. Wojtaszek

Mr. Wojtaszek's interview can be read, listened to, and searched at http://www.nileslibrary.org/world-war-ii-europe