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'War is hell,' 91-year-old vet says as Fox Valley honors them with memorial, ceremonies

Story updated Nov. 12 to correct the name of Jerry L. DuVall, who was misidentified in a photo caption.

Honor. Sacrifice. Service. Freedom.

Veterans Day means different things for different people.

For Walter Ruett, 90, of Crystal Lake, it means the world.

"I got two memorials," said Ruett, a World War II veteran of the Army and Air Force, who witnessed Lake in the Hills' unveiling of a new veterans memorial Wednesday.

The memorial, behind village hall at 600 Harvest Gate, comprises five large slabs of granite representing each of the branches of the military.

As part of the dedication ceremony, members of the Lake in the Hills American Legion Post No. 1231 Color Guard presented colors, and 170 Lincoln Prairie Elementary School first and third graders sang patriotic songs.

"Beautiful," said Ruett, getting choked up. He added, he relives memories of war every day.

"We think of the guys who didn't come back," said his wife of 60 years, Brenda, 82. "It's nice that people still honor the vets."

Communities across the suburbs, including Batavia, South Elgin, and St. Charles, paid homage to those who have served in combat and gave their lives in honor of Veterans Day.

"War is hell," said Rudy Wrublik, 91, of Algonquin, a World War II veteran who spoke at Lake in the Hills' dedication ceremony. "Nobody wins at all. This is a truism. The biggest casualty list was the Civil War. The numbers were astounding on both sides. We killed each other. Did we even learn the lesson?"

Wrublik said all people can do is pray for all the veterans and for all the suffering wars have caused.

"All I have to say is ... bless the Lord and bless all those who are here," he added.

Lake in the Hills Village President Paul Mulcahy said the goal was to create a peaceful place where people could come and reflect.

"Our intention was for it to be a place of solemnity and gratitude for everyone," he said. "Those sacrifices have provided really everything we have. Those veterans have provided a blanket of safety and security."

He and village Trustee Russ Ruzanski, both Navy veterans who served during the Vietnam War, had been pushing the project for several years.

Officials estimate roughly $200,000 in monetary and in-kind donations have been spent on the memorial thus far. A 2-foot-high wall connecting the five granite slabs will be erected later, Mulcahy said.

"In my mind, there should be some sort of tribute to veterans in every community," Mulcahy said.

Neighboring Huntley, where veterans were honored Sunday afternoon at the new Culver's off Route 47, also is planning to erect a veterans memorial.

St. Charles marked its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Fire Station 1 with a reading of a proclamation, an invocation, salute to the flag, a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

Meanwhile, St. Charles North High School will host its ninth annual Veterans Celebration Concert today at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium, 255 Red Gate Road. The free concert will feature the music of American composers and songs from each branch of the Armed Forces will be played to recognize veterans present.

Military Women Motorcycle Mechanics held a fundraiser for veterans with disabilities Wednesday with a raffle of The H.E.R. Project Trike at the Woodstock Harley-Davidson.

"It's been an amazing journey meeting and talking with the men and women of our great country that have served or have had someone in their family serve," said Gina Woods, creator of the H.E.R. Project, which stands for Honor, Encourage & Recognize those that have served in the Armed Forces.

The Woodstock Harley-Davidson donated the Trike, and the XX Chromes All Women Bike Builders built it on stage at the International Motorcycle Show in 2013. It traveled throughout the country as part of a fundraising campaign at different veterans events, motorcycle rallies, conventions and trade shows, Woods said.

"We have raised $22,000 for disabled American veterans with the help of Woodstock Harley-Davidson," Woods said. "We have had an outpouring of support on this project since the beginning with Tammy Duckworth's endorsement and signatures from celebrities, such as Gary Sinise, former Chicago Bear John Janata and Green Bay Packer Lee Roy Butler."

  Jerry L. DuVall of the Batavia American Legion takes a moment to reflect during the city of St. Charles' annual Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday at Fire Station 1. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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