20 soldiers honored for sacrifice

Twenty members of the armed forces were remembered Friday for giving the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All 20 who were honored at Friday's ceremony at the College of Lake County in Grayslake had Lake County ties.

About 75 spectators attended the service held near Willow Lake, which included a military rifle salute and taps.

Michael Peck, superintendent for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County, said it was appropriate Friday's ceremony was at the college. The Founding Fathers, he said, valued education.

"The only way democracy can survive is through an educated electorate," Peck said.

Navy Lt. Christopher Allen tried to provide words of comfort to the spectators. Allen, a chaplain at Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago, offered prayers and a reading from the prophet Ezekiel.

Allen said the fallen military personnel never died in the heart of God, and will live again. He said they sacrificed for their families, community and God.

"There will come a day, we hope, when we no longer will be separated from those who have fallen," Allen said.

Relatives who attended the ceremony received dog tags and roses after Allen spoke. They placed the flowers on a brick with their loved one's name.

Peck said there are roughly 43,000 war veterans living in Lake County. He said Friday's ceremony was a chance to remember the 20 who didn't make it home.