St. Charles continues honoring vets

St. Charles recognized 28 local military veterans Monday night as part of the city’s ongoing recognition of residents who served during times of conflict.

Aldermen proclaimed 2011 the “Year of the Veteran” in December of last year.

“It is fitting to honor these veterans, especially the dwindling number of the World War II group who are departing at the rate of over 1,100 per day, while they are still here among us,” the proclamation read.

City staff worked with VFW Post 5036 and American Legion Post 342 to bring a new group of veterans to one city council meeting each quarter in order to recognize the St. Charles residents “who, in defense of our freedom, have bravely worn the uniform of the United States.”

The city has honored more than 60 men and women from all branches of military service so far this year.

On Monday, an audience packed the city council chambers and gave thunderous applause for the latest group of St. Charles veterans to be recognized, including:

Ÿ Robert H. Baron, Marine Corps

Ÿ Betty Butler, Army and Air Force

Ÿ William Cunningham, Army

Ÿ Richard E. DePauw, Navy

Ÿ Carl Dinwiddie, Navy

Ÿ Richard Dziuban, Air Force

Ÿ Cleon Fellows, Marine Corps

Ÿ Arthur B. Ferguson, Army

Ÿ Michael T. Foulkes, Army

Ÿ Steven Gatz, Air Force

Ÿ Robert L. Gorecki, Army

Ÿ Edward T. Gorecki, Army

Ÿ Lawrence Hebda, Air Force

Ÿ James Hildreth, Navy

Ÿ James W. Houlihan, Army and Air Force

Ÿ Andrea M. Johnston, Navy

Ÿ Raymond Leone, Army

Ÿ Andrew E. Macey, Army

Ÿ Andrew S. Macey, Army

Ÿ James M. McFarland, Army

Ÿ James V. McLaughlin, Navy

Ÿ Donald E. Nippert, Army

Ÿ Vernon W. Oie, Army

Ÿ Elmer Rullman III, Army

Ÿ Lyman C. Swaim, Navy

Ÿ Thomas R. Weber, Army

Ÿ Jake W. Wyatt, Army

Ÿ Philip L. Zavitz, Army