Elgin raises flags at new veterans memorial

Eugene Banke has undoubtedly raised Old Glory and the Army flag before.

But when he hoisted the U.S. Army flag in Elgin Tuesday morning, it took on a bit more meaning for him and other veterans.

"It was nice. We've been wanting this here," the Elgin veteran said afterward, his voice cracking. "It was an honor to raise the flag."

Raising that flag, along with those of the Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and MIA/POWs were among the highlights during a dedication ceremony for Elgin's long-awaited Veteran's Memorial Park.

"Without everyone's cooperation, without everyone working together, this Veterans Memorial Park could not have been a reality," said Mayor Ed Schock. "It's a privilege, it's an honor to see this park here just a few feet from the site where this city was founded in 1835 on the Fox River by James Gifford."

Community leaders had a ceremonial groundbreaking Nov. 11, 2007, but full-scale construction on the $750,0000 project did not begin until this spring because the memorial design had to be condensed to fit a smaller area just north of the Gail Borden Library.

Schock thanked members of the Veteran's Memorial Park Committee for their patience, congratulated Christopher Cundiff for winning the design contest and applauded library officials for their help.

For people like Jack Cook, an Elgin resident and committee chairman, and folks at the VFW Post and American Legion, the wait was worth it.

"One year to do this is almost an impossibility. But a great number of people put their shoulders to the wheel and accomplished it," Cook said. "This is something the Elgin people have wanted for a long time."

Some veterans didn't live long enough to see the memorial come to fruition.

One of them was Elgin veteran Art Richoz, who was shot in the shoulder, jaw and eye by a German machine-gunner in 1945, earning him a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Rear Admiral Douglass Biesel, commander of the Navy Region Midwest and Tuesday's keynote speaker, made a special mention of Richoz.

"Our freedom is a precious gift and we must defend it. As President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated: 'History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid.' Those for whom this memorial is intended will attest to that," Biesel said.

"All veterans who are fortunate enough to live in or near this fine city of Elgin, they have this beautiful memorial to remind them there are many who have made this work and sacrifice," Biesel continued. "This memorial will not allow their service and sacrifice to be forgotten. This memorial will make us remember that it is our veterans who will preserve the freedoms that we enjoy every day."