Family makes donation to Elgin Veterans Memorial in judge’s name

Posted October 09, 2012 10:04 am

Submitted by Elgin Veterans Memorial Phase II Committee

Donald T. Anderson and his wife Nancy pose at the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park. One of the gardens at the Phase II waterfront addition to the memorial will be named in Andersons honor. Courtesy of Nancy Anderson

Retired judge Donald T. Anderson, who passed away a year ago, will be remembered at the upcoming addition to the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park.

A small garden named in his honor will include a commemorative plaque paying tribute to Anderson.

The money for the garden also will give the “Phase II” waterfront fundraising project a financial boost, note committee members who are working cooperatively with the city to make the addition a reality.

The $5,000 donation for the amenity to the park was given jointly by his wife, Nancy Anderson, the Elgin United Civic Association and the John Ericsson Republican League. While Anderson had an extensive list of club memberships, these two groups were ones with which he had a longtime involvement, Nancy said.

“Don loved Kane County and Elgin and the politics that went with it. There is one thing that came before that, though,” Nancy said in explaining why she chose to honor him at the Veterans Memorial.

“This was his love of country, his patriotism, and his appreciation for the men and women who have protected our freedoms.”

Anderson was a longtime member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 57 and a charter member of Elgin’s VFW Post No. 1307 Men’s Auxiliary. He also served in the Merchant Marines and was a member of the Elgin Navy Club, Ship No. 7. When the Elgin Navy Club became dormant for a time, Anderson was active in getting the charter restored, his wife said.

“He was regularly involved in the planning of Memorial Day programs on the Highland Avenue Bridge, which involved the strewing of floral tributes into the Fox River to honor veterans interred at sea. With the opening of the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park in 2008, these longtime floral tributes have now moved to this new site,” Nancy said.

“I am sure Donny looks down proudly on this addition to the memorial, which will make these ceremonies a much nicer event. It is a very fitting place to remember him,” she added.

For information about the “Phase II” addition to the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park, visit www.elginveteransmemorial.org.

A $5,000 donation was recently given to the Phase II committee in memory of Donald T. Anderson. Pictured, from left, are Scott Johnson, son of Donald T. and Nancy Anderson and president of the John Ericsson Republican League, Nancy Anderson, and George Bero, Elgin United Civic Association delegate. Courtesy of James Harvey

The proposed Phase II, or waterfront addition, to the Elgin Veterans Memorial Park will make waterfront services more dignified and stand as a year-round tribute to veterans interred at sea. Courtesy of Hitchcock Design Group

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