Veterans Day
Due to the wintery weather, the 2019 Veterans Day Ceremony was moved into the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the community.
“If this service would’ve been outdoors at the base of the Carillon, I’m sure that you would have had a majority of these people would have been there anyway,” said Marty Walker, co-chair of the Healing Field of Honor Committee.
The room was full of veterans, their families, and others who showed their support.
Direct Relatives of World War I Vets
Some who came are direct relatives of World War I veterans and continue to honor that legacy.
“We’ve had someone from the Bradlee or Haas family that has served in every conflict that the united states has been involved in. So it’s a part of our family heritage,” said Barbara Bradlee Haas.
“We came out to celebrate our great uncle who died in World War I. His name was Eugene Berger. He died in France,” said attendee Mary Kidd.
Eugene Burger was one of seven Naperville World War I vets who died in the line of duty.
The Ceremony
The Naperville Healing Field of Honor Committee, Naperville American Legion, and Naperville VFW partnered up to host the event.
“The first portion of this event today was for the VFW and American Legion to recognize the veterans and then at the halfway point, we discuss the healing field that paid honor to those veterans,” said Walker.
They honored them by telling the story of two known Naperville vets – Oliver J. Kendall and Win Knoch who served in World War I.
Always Remembered
The sacrifices made by these vets and their families are worth remembering not just today, but all year round.
“Whether you support a local charity like heart of a veteran or you take part in a big nationwide effort or you just shovel the driveway of the veteran across the street – make sure to show your gratitude and honor our military service men and women,” said Lisa Gangi, PR & media chair of the Healing Field of Honor Committee.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ reports.
