Veterans Day hits home for Wheaton man
A Wheaton native who made the ultimate sacrifice will be on the minds of everyone at his former high school this Veterans Day.
Wheaton North High School's remembrance of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller will be among several ceremonies Thursday, Nov. 11, in Wheaton acknowledging the courage and commitment of all veterans.
“The best thing that anyone can do to a veteran is go up to them and say ‘thank you.'” said Wheaton City Councilman Tom Mouhelis, who is a vet himself. “What makes me proud is this community honors veterans.”
The first ceremony will be at 10:45 a.m. at Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., and include remarks from the post commander and several members of American Legion Post 76. An 11 a.m. rifle volley will mark the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
Then more than 2,100 Wheaton North students will gather in the school's gymnasium for an afternoon assembly honoring Miller.
Miller, who graduated from Wheaton North in 2002, was killed during a Jan. 25, 2008, battle with Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Despite being wounded twice in the chest, the 24-year-old continued advancing, firing and hurling grenades. He drew fire away from fellow soldiers and saved their lives.
Earlier this year, Miller became the second Wheaton native to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The first, Army Pfc. James Howard Monroe, died saving the lives of fellow soldiers in Vietnam. Both Miller and Monroe received the nation's highest military honor posthumously.
Dan Korntheuer, Wheaton North's social studies department chairman, said Thursday's assembly is meant to help students understand “how important and how tremendous of a sacrifice Rob made.”
“We want them to be proud to be associated with Rob,” Korntheuer said.
Paul Herbert, executive director of the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, will discuss the history of the Medal of Honor.
Allen Lynch, a Gurnee resident, will speak about receiving the medal for his service in the Vietnam War.
“He (Lynch) is going to talk about what the medal means to him and how it has affected his life,” Korntheuer said. “I think he's going to have a good message for the students.”
Some of the people who knew Miller best during high school then will address the crowd.
Bobby Kaye, a 2002 Wheaton Warrenville South High School graduate, was on the gymnastics team with Miller. Kaye joined the Army and went on to serve two tours of duty in Iraq.
In addition, English teacher Chad Downie will share his memories of teaching Miller and coaching him on the gymnastics team.
Wheaton North also has invited more than 20 veterans who have spoken to students in the past to attend.
“We're going to recognize them and give them a round of applause,” Korntheuer said.
The solemn day will continue from about 6 to 9 p.m. at Cantigny Park, where roughly 2,200 candles will be lit to honor 1st Infantry Division soldiers killed in action from World War I to the present.
The candles also will honor the more than 650,000 men and women who gave their lives in combat since the Revolutionary War, organizers said.
“It's a powerful visual reminder of how many people have sacrificed their lives to defend our nation,” Herbert said in a statement. “As citizens and as a community, this is an opportunity to honor all veterans, living or dead, and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy today because of their service.”
In honor of Veterans Day, the First Division Museum will offer extended hours and stay open until 9 p. m. The museum at 7:30 p.m. will present “Veterans' Voices,” a program featuring living history re-enactors reading actual letters sent by soldiers from the Revolutionary War through Desert Storm.
Parking at Cantigny will be free on Veterans Day. Admission to the First Division Museum always is free. For details, visit firstdivisionmuseum.org.
If you go
<p>What: Veterans Day at Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum</p>
<p>Where: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton</p>
<p>When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday</p>
<p>Cost: Free</p>
<p>Info: (630) 260-8187; firstdivisionmuseum.org</p>