Suburban veterans honored by state throughout the year

SPRINGFIELD — Most of the veterans who were honored in 2010 as Illinois' Veteran of the Month said they were surprised to be singled out among the large crowd of their fellow former service members.

But the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs chose them to highlight both their military careers and their work since retiring.

Several were from the suburbs, and each has a unique background. Here's a look at the local veterans who were honored and the month they were honored in:

‘One in a million'

John Geiger, a Des Plaines resident honored in May, is a veteran of the Army who served in Europe during World War II and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.

Geiger is a native of Iowa and graduated from the University of Illinois after his service.

Afterward, in 1971, he served as National Commander of the American Legion, the organization's highest post. His duties included testifying before Congress and introducing then-President Richard Nixon at a convention.

“John H. Geiger is not just one of 102 who have been elected to or earned the title of national commander,” said Clarence Hill, another national commander of the American Legion, in a statement. “He is one in a million.”

Embracing life

Darwin Coligado, a Elk Grove Village resident honored in June, spent nine years of active duty with the Navy and four in the reserves, serving as a photographer, navigator and in other jobs.

After his service, in 2008, Coligado was involved in a motorcycle accident and lost the use of his legs.

Coligado said he had to decide how to continue with his life and he decided to make the most of it.

“I carry on my day-to-day activities,” he said.

Since his accident, he has participated in the National Veteran Wheelchair Games and finished the Chicago Marathon in both 2009 and 2010.

He currently works for the federal Drug Enforcement Agency based in Chicago, and said he was honored to be recognized by the state.

“That was just me doing my thing,” Coligado said.

Helping fellow vets

Arthur Ray Taylor, a Bolingbrook resident who was honored in July, served in the Marines for five years and also as an Army reservist.

“When I was mentioned,” Taylor said of the honor, “I was just caught off guard.”

Taylor worked as a recruiter for some of that time, and he said he enjoyed having an impact on young people's lives.

He now works as a department service officer for the American Legion Department of Illinois.

“We're here as an aid for veterans,” he said.

Hug a Bear

John Manasse, an Arlington Heights resident honored in November, served in the Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945, working on a submarine.

“To single out one veteran, it's a great honor,” he said.

The now-retired communications professional runs the “Hug-A-Bears” program he created. Manasse and his wife have made more than 13,000 teddy bears that they distribute to local paramedics.

He said that because children are taught not to talk to strangers, they often resist paramedics who come to help them in emergencies.

But paramedics can give teddy bears distributed by Manasse to try to gain the child's trust. And it often works.

“The paramedic becomes a friend right away,” Manasse said.

Toys for Tots

John Meschi, a Lombard resident honored in December, served as a Marine in the Philippines and then Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Now, Meschi works with the DuPage County Toys for Tots program, and the effort has increased since he began.

“It was very humbling,” Meschi said of being honored. “You just don't do things to get thanked for them.”

Meschi said people don't always think a wealthy county like DuPage might need a robust Toys for Tots program. But, he said, the children who need it love getting presents during holiday times.

“They get a sense of belonging,” he said.