Group helps local vet in need

Veterans have always had a special place in my heart, mainly because my father served in Vietnam and my grandpas fought in World War II and in the Korean War.

So it is with that in mind that I tell you about James Duggan, who was in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 in Korea.

The Crystal Lake man is 75 years old and had difficulty reaching his upstairs bathroom, but not for reasons you might think.

Sixteen years ago, doctors had to amputate one of his legs due to excessive blood clotting.

To get up there, he was forced to lay his crutches on the floor so he could sit on the steps and scoot himself up and down to reach the bathroom, the only one in his house that had a shower.

"Before I kill myself, I thought I'd have a shower put in downstairs," he said, clearly exasperated.

He and his family turned to A Soldiers Wish Foundation, an Algonquin-based nonprofit group that looks out for local veterans, to do something about this situation.

The family-run group is helmed by president and founder Aurea McClintock, her husband Kenneth who is board chairman and their daughter DeAnna, the foundation's vice president.

Using donations, the nonprofit group seeks to improve veterans' quality of life and in the past has covered prosthetic limbs, child care, prescription drugs and groceries for vets.

So the group went ahead and paid to install a shower inside the Duggans' first-floor bathroom.

"I thought it was great, just to do something for somebody, you know," he said.

Duggan has been using that shower for about two weeks and reports that he's just loving it.

If you're interested in providing similar help to vets through this organization, visit www.soldierswish.org.

There you can make a donation, read testimonials and find out more about the organization.

Shin guards required: Elgin's first-ever Asian Fest was a smashing success, drawing more than 2,000 people for the day, organizers said.

But in addition to a full stomach, I left with cuts and bruises on my legs, ankles and feet.

That was thanks to the Southeast Asian game sepak takraw, a combination of volleyball and soccer; the object is to use any part of your body except your hands to get the ball over the net before it hits the ground.

I play soccer and I've played volleyball, so I thought it would be easy. Wrong! The rattan ball for this 600-year-old sport is really hard and leaves marks. I had to call it quits after 10 minutes, I was in so much pain.

Thankfully, Kone Chansey, one of the organizers, steered me to the First Aid tent where Elgin police officer Chad VanMastrigt furnished me with a handmade ice pack to keep the swelling down.

Officials are talking about bringing the festival back next year and I'm sure sepak takraw will come with it. But if you plan on playing, don't forget socks, shin guards, cleats and lots of ice.

Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, McHenry County College, Pingree Grove and Sunday events. To reach her, call (847) 608-2725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com