Prospect High honors veterans in new display

Five Prospect High School alumni who died in service to the country will be remembered in the school hallways as part of a display dedicated Tuesday.

The floor-to-ceiling Knights in the Armed Services display outside the school library also honors six recent graduates who are currently enlisted in the military.

The idea of honoring Prospect military veterans came from members of the Class of 1964, who lost two classmates during the Vietnam War. A number of alumni from that class attended a dedication ceremony at the school Tuesday night, including attorney Ernie Blomquist, who spoke about the fallen classmates he knew.

Acrylic plaques in the display case include each person's name, rank and story. Those honored are:

• Navy Lt. j.g. Douglas Dean Vaughan of the Class of 1962, who died in combat in Vietnam in 1969.

• Marine Corps 2nd Lt. David William Skibbe of the Class of 1964, who died in combat in Vietnam in 1970.

• Navy Lt. Alan Koehler of the Class of 1964, who died during a stateside training exercise in 1973.

• Air Force Maj. Michael J. Keane of the Class of 1972, who died during a stateside training mission in 1987.

• Army Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach of the Class of 1982, who died in combat in Afghanistan in 2005.

"We're trying to show our students that heroes have walked these halls to inspire future Knights to be their own hero," said Frank Mirandola, assistant principal of student activities. "Being a hero is a choice to serve, give and make a positive difference in the world."

Other speakers at the dedication included Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes, a 1974 Prospect graduate, West Point graduate and Army veteran; and Bill Dussling, a Northwest Suburban High School District 214 board member and Vietnam veteran.