Lake Zurich honors World War II veteran with deep ties to village

Lake Zurich's government leaders saluted a World War II veteran with longtime village ties who will be on a special flight for a bevy of activities in Washington, D.C.

Edward Young will be among 90 World War II veterans on Wednesday's Honor Flight Chicago, departing from Midway International Airport for Washington in the morning and returning at night. The nonprofit organization raises money to fly the veterans, at no charge, to see the National World War II Memorial and other monuments.

Young, 87, is a Marine whose service went well beyond the military. Now in a Crystal Lake assisted-living facility, Young became part of Lake Zurich's fabric in different capacities after moving to the village with his late wife, Elnora, in 1962.

At Monday's village board meeting, Mayor Thomas Poynton read a proclamation honoring Young for serving U.S. citizens and Lake Zurich residents "in an exemplary and an admirable manner." Young lived in Lake Zurich for 46 years.

Sitting in a wheelchair near the podium, Young received the document from the mayor and said a few words to the village hall crowd that gave him a standing ovation.

"I love this community and the people that live in it," Young said. "I wish you a lot of luck in your vision of a better community."

Young was on the zoning board of appeals for 30 years. He also volunteered his time on the Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board and worked as a village crossing guard for 16 years.

In addition, he's a lifetime Lions Club member with about 50 years in the community service organization's Lake Zurich chapter.

Former Lake Zurich Mayor Henry Paulus was at village hall Monday evening and remembered how Young was always quick to volunteer for various causes. Paulus said he's proud to have had Young as a friend since 1962.

"Ed has been a great friend of Lake Zurich," Paulus said.

Outside the meeting room, Young said he and his wife owned a shoe store at Church and Main streets in Lake Zurich for about three years. He also worked as a teller at a Lake Zurich bank, in a can company's research laboratory and as a shoe salesman.

One of his daughters, Julie Vormittag, is Lake Zurich's police records supervisor. She will be his escort Wednesday.