Gurnee American Legion honors veterans, launches programs

Dozens of Gurnee residents joined in a salute to suburban veterans Saturday during a ceremony at Gurnee American Legion Post 771.

"It is up to us to ensure that every veteran feels that his or her service to the country is appreciated by fellow veterans," said Jim Huisel, post commander.

Huisel called on attendees to go beyond merely venerating those who have served on Veterans Day by offering continued support to those struggling with the "invisible wounds" of war.

"Twenty veterans a day take their own lives," he said. "This is a tragedy for all Americans. For them, the battles continue even after the firing stops and their return home is complete. Veterans' benefits are a cost of war and a necessary part of fielding a strong national defense."

Gurnee's Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss pageant winners led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the Gurnee Park District's Viking Singers performed the national anthem, a salute to the Armed Services, and "God Bless America."

Huisel highlighted two new initiatives the post is launching - "Devils That Served" and "Growing Healthy Veterans."

The Legion will spearhead a fundraising effort for the placement of a 70-foot video board at Warren Township High School's Almond Campus to recognize and honor Warren graduates who have served in the military.

"This will be a community effort to identify those who have served," Huisel said. "High schools do not maintain records after school. We will be calling alumni, parents, relatives and other community organizations to help us with this worthwhile project."

The "Growing Healthy Veterans" initiative will allow veterans to work on a community greenhouse garden as a therapeutic activity, as well as to learn skills for careers in agriculture.

"The powerful healing that comes from working directly with the soil has been documented with numerous studies of veterans diagnosed with PTSD," Huisel said. "We are going to build year-round hoop houses on our vacant land to the south of the baseball fields. We will begin with two and expand the building as needed."

Officials hope to start the greenhouse project in the spring, and also construct some raised bed houses that are wheelchair accessible.

"The food in these gardens will be used by the veterans and sold to local restaurants to help offset the expense and provide additional funds for further development," Huisel said.