Lombard veteran honored for work with Toys for Tots

John Meschi may be a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Cuba during the missile crisis of the 1960s, but his comrades call the smiling, bearded 66-year-old a giant teddy bear.

And that's fitting, because the Lombard man received a statewide honor Thursday for his dedication to bringing stuffed animals, toys and other gifts to underprivileged children through the Marines' Toys for Tots program.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs named Meschi its December Veteran of the Month. The 3-year-old program honors vets who continue to serve their communities after their military service ends.

A ceremony in his honor attracted more than 40 supporters, many dressed in Marine red and gold, to Wheaton VFW Post 2164.

Meschi is the only veteran in DuPage County to receive the award this year. There are about 1.2 million veterans in Illinois.

“A lot of months we have to deliberate between the nominations,” said Dan Grant, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. “This was not one of those months. John epitomizes the kind of character we seek.”

Meschi served with the Marines from 1961 to 1965, and was stationed in both the Philippines and Cuba. At the time, he earned several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal. He later served two more years in the reserves.

But in DuPage County, residents know Meschi for his work with Toys for Tots. He has chaired the program locally for 12 years, and even wore a jacket with the Toys for Tots logo as he accepted his award.

Several officials and colleagues praised Meschi, not only for his local charity work but for renting a van, filling it with donated gifts and supplies, then driving it to Mississippi in 2006 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Bill Barta, state commandant of the Marine Corps League, nominated Meschi for the award after 15 years of friendship.

“I sat down (to write the nomination) and the words just flowed out,” Barta said. “Not because I'm a good writer, but because I had such a good source of inspiration. I can think of no one more deserving.”

In addition to Thursday's honor, Meschi was formerly honored by the United Service Organizations for his Toys for Tots work, and he also was named Marine of the Year by the Marine Corps League in 1996 and 2001.

This week's ceremony left Meschi a bit speechless, he said, especially since his son traveled a long distance to attend and his daughter took a day off work from her job as a teacher.

“This is such an honor and I feel so humbled,” Meschi said.