Veterans Network Committee Event to Aid Flood Victims and Honor Veterans
Cary, IL. Wendell leans on his cane, his voice barely above a whisper as he reminisces about his time during World War II. He tells of meeting a beautiful farm girl named Maria. “When I saw her, it was love at first sight. The only time that's ever happened to me,” he says. His voice begins to quiver as he tells about the time her father came downstairs carrying a suit of clothes. “Her dad said to me, ‘You can have all this someday,' meaning his whole farm, ‘I just want you to marry my daughter.' Imagine that,” Wendell says. “They had four boys fighting for
the other side, but they were willing to accept me as a son. I'll never forget that. But it wasn't meant to be. I had to go home. But I never forgot.”
Wendell is 93 years old now, and the last of a generation who served in WWII. He shared his story with me during a community day sponsored by the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois. The VNC is an organization that serves the veteran community through programs that raise local awareness for veterans and honor both past service members and those who are currently serving in the military. These programs include community outings, Operation Support Our Troops, and the Field of Honor.
One of their premier programs, and one that specifically benefits Wendell and those like him, is Honor Flight, a program that sends WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II memorial. Randy Granath, Veterans Network Committee president, explains: “Our WWII veterans are dying. Of those that are left, very few have the resources and capability to make it to Washington, D.C. on their own. We want to send as many of these guys as we can to see the WWII memorial, at no cost to them, before that generation of veterans is gone.”
Honor Flight has flown over 98,000 veterans and 50,000 guardians to see their memorial since it began in 2004. But Honor Flight is not just for WWII veterans. The goal is to continue with the Korean War veterans, and then the Vietnam veterans. This year's McHenry Honor Flight will take place September 13-15.
As part of their commitment to community outreach, Veterans Network Committee will be hosting an upcoming fundraiser to benefit Cary flood victims and Honor Flight. Festivities will run from 1:00-8:00pm at Lake Julian in Cary, and will feature fun for the whole family including live music all day, food, games and a beer tent. Granath encourages everyone to come out for this event. “August 24 will be a major fundraiser to aid residents who suffered a loss in the recent flooding and to offer WWII veterans what might be their only chance to visit their memorial. This is the perfect opportunity for the community to partner with us in helping our neighbors and showing respect for those who fought for our freedom, so please take some time out of your schedule on August 24th to enjoy the fun and support a worthy cause.”
For more information on programs or upcoming events, please contact:
The Veterans Network Committee
515 Skyline Drive
Fox River Grove, IL 60021
847.875.0159
www.veteransnetworkcommittee.com