Bloomingdale post office renamed to honor veterans

Just in time for Veterans Day, the Bloomingdale post office has been renamed in honor of the men and women who have served our country.

The facility along Schick Road is now called the Bloomingdale Veterans Memorial Post Office Building as the result of a measure that was proposed by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and signed into law in July.

On Thursday, Krishnamoorthi visited the post office for a renaming ceremony attended by village officials, postal workers and area veterans.

"The Bloomingdale Veterans Memorial Post Office will serve as a living reminder of the service of every soldier, sailor, Coast Guardsman, airman and Marine who has sacrificed so much to keep America safe," Krishnamoorthi said.

Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District, which is roughly centered in Schaumburg and includes parts of Addison, Barrington Hills, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Palatine, Roselle, South Elgin, Streamwood, Villa Park and Wood Dale.

The Schaumburg Democrat said he was inspired to rename a post office after years of meeting with veterans. He said the Bloomingdale site was chosen because it's in the heart of the district.

"I feel that we can't do enough to remember the service and sacrifice of veterans," Krishnamoorthi said. "This is just a small act of gratitude."

He presented a copy of the measure that renamed the building to Bloomingdale Postmaster Julianne Buckley and also unveiled a copy of a plaque that now hangs in the post office lobby.

Buckley said renaming the building means a lot to the community and employees, including several who are veterans.

"We have a lot of veterans that come in," she said. "So it's really nice to see them get the attention they deserve."

State Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park thanked everyone involved in renaming the building.

"I have traveled this state and seen veterans memorials," said Cullerton, an Army veteran. "I believe this is the first post office I've seen that is dedicated to the men and women who have served our country."

Krishnamoorthi, meanwhile, said more needs to be done to help veterans, including increasing access to health services, eliminating homelessness and improving mental health support.

"By prioritizing our veterans when they come home," he said, "we can live up to our obligations to better serve them."