Do you know what happened 64 years ago?
For many of us, today is just another Friday, the welcome end of the work week, TGIF and all that.
But for some of you, today is the anniversary of a day that brought many very different emotions amid a war-torn era when life was filled with a fear most of us don't truly understand.
It's been 64 years since the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France. On that day, our troops joined the Allies in a massive onslaught of more than 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and 150,000 service men to break the German front.
About 5,000 of those troops never made it home.
Last year, I had the honor of chatting with Lenny Buresh of Fox River Grove, who was one of the support people for that battle. As a Merchant Marine he was on board a ship laden with 260-pound antipersonnel bombs carefully navigating its way through a mine-filled harbor to deliver those weapons for the D-Day invasion.
Like many who signed up during those difficult days, Lenny wanted to do his part despite a knee injury that kept him out of the Army.
And, like many touched by the events of World War II, he has since shared his story with students so that later generations remember those difficult days.
Many of those who fought that day are no longer with us. We tend to talk of it most on the big anniversaries like the 60th or next year's 65th. For some, though, it is a date they'll never forget.
June 6, 1944.
Above and beyond
I originally heard of Lenny when I asked people to tell me about unsung heroes, people who make a difference in other's lives. His volunteer work at a Barrington school prompted the teacher to share his tale.
Thanks to those of you who also responded to our request to hear about those who go above and beyond, doing their jobs so well they've also made a difference.
If you know an unsung hero or someone who goes above and beyond, give me a call at (847) 931-5725 or e-mail me at amack@dailyherald.com.
Thank you to those who have already contacted me. I'll periodically feature the folks you tell me about in this space, starting this Sunday.
On ice!
Need to chill a bit? The fine folks at the Leafs Hockey Centre in West Dundee invite you to do just that by stopping by the rinks this weekend when the Leafs Hockey Club holds its first Regional Crosstown Spring Showcase. You'll see strong competition on ice and have plenty of fun outside the rink as well. The matches start today with the outside fun Saturday. They'll have food, a moon walk, dunk tank and live music. Mark Szczurek tells me Tommy Hawk, the Chicago Blackhawks mascot, and Skates from the Chicago Wolves will also be there.
If you haven't checked out the new rinks yet, stop by. They're on Route 72, west of Randall Road, right by Dundee Middle School.
To market, to market
Two of the area's most popular outdoor markets will soon open for the season.
Huntley's Farmers Market opens from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday near the Town Square. You'll find farm produce, flowers, plants, homemade goodies, music and more. Since this is the first Saturday of the month, you'll also find crafts. Go to www.huntley.il.us for the latest.
Elgin's Harvest Market will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday at the Civic Center Parking lot, 120 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. Take Route 31 south to Highland Avenue and go east to Douglas Avenue. You'll find scones, fruits, vegetables, flowers, jams, bread, pies, muffins, free-range meats and more. They had me at scones. And that's just to start the summer.
Flying high
What better to do in the Windy City than go fly a kite? And, no, I wasn't necessarily talking to political types.
Diane Fuqua of the First Congregational Church of Dundee wants you to know you're invited to their family kite fly at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on the west lawn of the "Church on the Hill." That's the one on the west side of Route 31 as you drive into West Dundee. You can use one of their basic kites or bring you own. Fly high, then enjoy free hot dogs, chips, pop and ice cream.