New name to be added to veterans memorial

It has been a year since the names of two soldiers were added to a veterans memorial at the DuPage County government complex in Wheaton.

On Sunday, Army Sgt. Joe Vanek's name will become the newest addition to the growing list of DuPage County troops who have perished since the war on terror began in 2001.

"We held the Veterans Day event at the convalescent center for the ease and convenience of the hospitalized veterans last year and we had noted how we didn't have to be at the memorial that day to add another name," said Terry Owens, president of DuPage Veterans Memorial.

"The next day was when Sgt. Vanek was killed."

A white cross bearing Vanek's name and details about his death fighting in Iraq were added to a field adjacent to the permanent memorial along with 15 other crosses.

At Sunday's Memorial Day service, the 22-year-old Elmhurst native will become permanently memorialized when his name is etched in the granite marker at the site.

The service begins at 11 a.m. with a "Rolling Thunder" motorcycle salute to the 16 fallen servicemen from DuPage by the Wild Fire HOGS Chapter. Many of the members are veterans, Owens said.

Dirk Enger, a Marine veteran and co-chairman of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, will deliver the keynote address. County board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom also will speak.

Enger has constructed a float that memorializes the fallen troops, which will be on display at the event. He said it has been well-received by families of the dead servicemen.

"People just don't realize how hard it is for these families to get closure, but they also don't want their loved ones to be forgotten," he said.

The memorial is located just south of the courthouse, off Manchester Road, in Wheaton.