Mundelein vets, active-duty troops invited to holiday party

Active-duty troops and veterans from Mundelein who have fought in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan are invited to a holiday party later this month.

The bash is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 20 at the main fire station, 1000 N. Midlothian Road. Refreshments will be served.

Representatives of the fire and police departments, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be on hand to greet guests. So will village officials.

Village leaders organized the party to honor those troops whose military service has ended or those who are home on leave. It has occasionally provided escorts for troops returning home from the wars, too.

"It is very difficult for us to pay tribute to these brave men and women on an individual basis, so we thought an event for anyone who is in town for the holidays would be an effective way to show our appreciation," Mundelein Mayor Kenneth H. Kessler said in a news release.

Organizers got the idea for the party after Mundelein plan commission member Gary Gunter mentioned his son, Army Capt. Michael Gunther, would be returning home for the holidays. He had been serving in Iraq and Germany since 2002 and has done three tours in the war zone.

"Michael really isn't a big one for pomp and ceremony, so I suggested we do something for all the troops that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan," Gunther said.

Village Trustee Ray Semple called the party a "small token of appreciation" for the troops.

"It's tough to get them all together, especially when they may be coming home throughout the year," Semple said. "I think it's a nice gesture."

The gathering could be good for families of the troops, too, Semple said.

"They can share notes on what they're going through," he said.