McHenry County Blog

An email from Congressman Randy Hultgren:

“From the first shots of the Revolutionary War, to the men and women serving our country today, this nation owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to our veterans.

“We are the greatest country in the free world and I’m grateful for the freedoms we as a country have fought so hard to protect.

“On this Veterans Day, please take the time to say thank to our men and women who have served and are serving our country.

“There are so many great poems written on behalf of our veterans. I have included one of those poems today.

“In Service,

“Congressman Randy Hultgren”

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God’s hands.

They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country,

So remember and honor them with pride

An email from State Rep. Mike Tryon:

Today is a day for us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans who have spent a part of their lives devoting themselves to military service. The freedoms we enjoy are due to the sacrifices they have made. Whatever your political leaning, whatever fierce debates we have in Illinois and in America, one thing that unites us all is our appreciation for those who serve our country in the military.

In the General Assembly, we take Veterans issues very seriously. On this day of remembrance, I thought it would be appropriate to outline just some of the recent laws in Illinois that help our service men and women while they are away and when they return from duty.

Protecting Veteran’s Monuments/Grave Markers
HB 3273    P.A. 97-384

• Makes it a crime for any scrap metal dealer, recycling facility or other business to accept metal from the grave marker of a veteran

Protecting Funeral Services of Veterans
HB 180     P.A. 97-0359

• Protests, demonstrations and/or disorderly conduct may not be conducted within 300 feet of the ingress or egress of the funeral site (previous legislation limited protests to 200 ft)

Honoring Wounded and Fallen Veterans
HB 1537     P.A. 97-0258

• Designates the 7^th day of August of each year as “Purple Heart Day” to be observed as a day to honor and remember those wounded or killed in battle

Protecting the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act
HB 2095     P.A. 97-0580

• If an employer knowingly violates the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act they will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor (Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act: Provides employment protection to service members called into active duty service. Service members who are honorably discharged or otherwise satisfactorily complete their service are entitled to be returned to employment, at a level to which they would have attained if not for their period of active duty)

Assisting Fallen Veterans’ Family
HB 2875     P.A. 97-0302

• Any natural mother/father or spouse of a veteran killed in the line of duty (Gold Star Family members) deemed eligible by the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs is entitled to admission to any of the Illinois Veterans Homes, should vacant beds exist

Veterans and the Department of Natural Resources
HB 3274     P.A. 97-0498

• Veterans returning home from service abroad are eligible for free camping, hunting and fishing licenses for the amount of time they served abroad

Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Public Service Announcement Fund
HB 3275     P.A. 97-0078

• Creates the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Public Service Announcement Fund in the State treasury

Driver’s License Expiration Deferment for Veterans
HB 3331     P.A. 97-0079

• Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by changing the driver’s license expiration deferment for those serving in the US Armed Forces outside of the state of Illinois and 120 days thereafter

Veterans-Owned Small Businesses
SB 1270     P.A. 97-0260

• Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Sets as a goal that 3% of State contracts be awarded to service-disabled veterans-owned small business and veterans-owned small businesses.

I wish you all a very safe and happy Veteran’s Day, and as always, if my staff or I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to call my Crystal Lake office at 815-459-6453.

Sincerely,

Michael W. Tryon
State Representative, District 64

Some images I have collected concerning Veterans:

And, if you would like to see want World War II was like in the Pacific theater, I invite you to see the photos Wonder Lake’s Sully Sullivan brought back from some of the most vicious fighting of the war. The photographs, not all of which are for the faint of heart, include a broader view of the one one you see above of the signing of the unconditional surrender by the Japanese, among many others the physician who supervised this Pharmacists Mate.