Patch Coverage of Veterans Breakfast

Pam DeFiglio of patch.com for Niles chronicled the annual breakfast in grand fashion with engaging text and well-chosen photographs. Pam also filed a spin-off, separate story, focusing on D-Day paratrooper, Matthew Wojtaszek of Niles.

Chi-Town Entertainment's Tia Rano Leads Parade at Breakfast

Chi-town Entertainment's Tia Rano leads the rousing breakfast finale of a parade, featuring veterans Charles Matz, Richard Vana and son Tim.

Kalia Jefferson and Tia salute to music at the Veterans Breakfast.

4th Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast

The breakfast was held in the auditorium of the Niles Public Library District on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. The veterans appearing in the picture are from left to right in the first row: Sam Schechter, Paul Schneller, Irv Blaszynski, Gus Habighurst, Martha Shipp, Bill Shipp, Judith Carlson (for Norman Berkman). In the second row from left to right are: Robert Morris, Mike Kozyra, Walter Tymczuk, Max Kolpas, Matthew Wojtaszek, Irving Abramson, Jack Weinberg, Dick Vana, Donald Spitzer, and Al Aronson. In the third row are from left to right, Robert Barsky, Martha Barsky, Charles Matz, Harry Webber, Kenneth Radnitzer, Matthew Potoczek, Russell Zapel, Michael Czapar, Chuck Jacobs, Jerry Levin and Tim Vana. Eugene Kopacz also attended the breakfast. The picture was taken by Sasha Vasilic, the Publicity and Graphic Design Coordinator of the Niles Library. The delicious breakfast was donated by George Alpogianis of Kappy's Restaurant in Morton Grove. Library Director, Linda Weiss, welcomed the veterans, their guests and community members. Chris Hanusiak, the President of the Friends and a veteran, followed Mrs. Weiss to the lectern and announced a contribution to the Honor Flight Program in the name of the veterans. November 10 is the birthday of the Marine Corps and the day on which Gus Habighurst was captured by Japanese in World War II.

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/.

Operation Write Home Program at Niles Library

Wednesday, September 8, 11:30am-4:30pm

"Help us support the nation's armed forces for the holiday season by creating blank homemade greeting cards for them to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to be sent to AnyHero soldiers who need mail."

The library will furnish card-making supplies and no registration is needed for this special program in the Large Meeting Room.

Operation Write Home began in 2007 with just a few cards made by friends on a message board; what began as an outlet for a hobby has become a much larger mission to help heroes keep in touch with home - and the effort has been joined by thousands of cardmakers!
OWH receives handmade cards donated by crafters across America (and beyond!). Cardmakers range in age, location, and level of skill; cards are provided by individuals and groups, schools and scouts, companies and churches. All have one primary thing in common: a desire to serve those who defend our nation!
Cards are mailed to one of our volunteer shippers in quanities both small and large. The shippers process, sort, repair, and document each donation, and then pack and ship boxes of over 300 cards each to our contacts. Our heroes request cards (families may also request on their behalf; we serve all branches in all deployed locations.

PILLARS OF HONOR, WWII Ceremony and Exhibit

will take place at the Des Plaines Public Library (1501 Ellinwood Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016 )on Sunday, August 29, 2 to 4 p.m. The ceremony honoring World War II veterans will feature speakers, music, and the unveiling of the architectural model of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Refreshments will be courtesy of Friends of the Des Plaines Public Library. The Model will be on display on the 3rd floor of the library August 30 -September 3.

Model of World War II DC Memorial to Debut at Des Plaines Public Library

The Niles Journal, 7/7/10, issue on page 3A reports that the 8' x 8' display will have its first showing at the Des Plaines Library, 1501 Ellinwood, (847-827-5551) beginning August 29, 2010.
Todd Wessell, editor, writes that the organizer Steve Schaeffer expects the model to be on display for 3 to 5 days on the 3rd level of the library. Mr. Schaefer and local businesswoman Suzanne Stanits are members of the sponsoring Pillars of Honor organization.