Football fans, remember Vet's Day

I know Sundays are usually reserved for football, family outings and resting.

But hopefully you'll be able to spend some of today -- Veterans Day -- thinking about the people who served in our armed forces.

There will be ceremonies all over our area to commemorate the day. There's one at 10 a.m. in South Elgin's Panton Mill Park, that, if the weather doesn't cooperate, will move to the village annex across the street. The South Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Ladies Auxiliary are in charge of the event.

Elgin's celebration begins at 11 a.m. and features a ceremonial groundbreaking for the veterans memorial next to the Gail Borden Library at 270 N. Grove Ave.

It's always been a special day for me.

My grandfather, Dr. John Palmer, was a doctor in a M.A.S.H. unit during the Korean War and my father, John Adkins, flew airplanes with the Air Force in the Vietnam War.

And as we all know, Daily Herald reporter Adam Kovac just returned to the paper Monday after having spent nearly a year in Iraq with the Illinois National Guard.

If it's too cold for you to attend either ceremony, you can spend the day at home, listening to "Tribute to the Troops" on WRMN 1410 AM radio.

The show runs today from noon to 5 p.m. and reunites Jeff Myers and John Prigge, former co-hosts of "Remembering Elgin."

They had not done a broadcast together since "Remembering Elgin" went off the air three years ago, Prigge said.

"I am excited to be back with Jeff again on a marathon," Prigge said via e-mail.

Local author and publisher George Rawlinson, who wrote a book about Fox Valley veterans, is the show's co-sponsor.

He bought the slice of airtime from the radio station and will donate a portion of the program's advertising dollars to help support the Elgin veterans memorial.

The show's guests include Allen Lynch, a Vietnam veteran and one of 109 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, state Sen. Michael Noland, state Rep. Ruth Munson and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

You can also phone in during the marathon to talk about a veteran who's touched your life. To do that, call (847) 931-1410.

Happy Veterans' Day, everyone and please take time to remember those who willingly sacrificed their lives.