Aurora University honors veterans for their service

Posted November 05, 2019 10:00 pm

Submitted by Al Benson

Local residents were among Aurora University student-veterans honored for their service in a campus ceremony Sept. 25. From left are Eric Rios of Yorkville, James Harvey of Oswego, Nick Roche of Western Springs, Kristen Hirst of Aurora, Erika Garcia of Plano, and David Dial of Naperville. Honorees received Warriors Medal of Valor medals from Midwest Soaring. Courtesy of Al Benson

Aurora-area residents were among Aurora University student-veterans honored for their service in a ceremony Sept. 25.

Warriors Medal of Valor medals were presented to Eric Rios, Yorkville, U.S. Marine Corps sergeant 2002-2006; James Harvey, Oswego, Marine sergeant 2014-2018; Kristen Hirst, Aurora, Marine sergeant 2012-2017; Erika Garcia, Plano, Marine sergeant 2011-2012; and David Dial, Naperville, Vietnam Army veteran and chair, AU criminal justice department and liaison, AU Veterans Association.

Presenters were Richard Holstein, Bolingbrook, Native American Nations of the U.S.; and Joseph Standingbear, president, Midwest Soaring Association, Lockport. Nick Roche, Western Springs, Midwest Soaring board member, served as eagle staff bearer.

The ceremony in Tapper recital hall preceded a presentation by Rebecca Head Trautmann, project manager for the national Native American veterans memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Trautman, assistant curator of contemporary art at the National Museum of the American Indian, said memorial construction began Sept. 24.

On Sept. 24, Trautman presented "Taking Form: Material and Message in Native American Contemporary Art" at Tapper Hall. Her talk opened "THREADS: A Line from there to Here," a free, public exhibit through Dec. 13 at AU's Schingoethe Center, 1315 Prairie St. in Aurora.

Call (630) 844-4924 or visit aurora.edu/museum for more information

David Dial of Naperville, center, receives a Warriors Medal of Valor medal Sept. 25 at Aurora University. Dial is flanked by Richard Holstein, left, of Bolingbrook, Native American Nations of the U.S.; and Joseph Standingbear, Chicago, president, Midwest Soaring Association, Lockport. Courtesy of Al Benson

Warriors Medal of Valor Courtesy of Al Benson

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.