State of IL MOPH Movable Memorial Wall of Honor 2013 Confirmed events

May 4, 2013 by Christina Finn Leave a Comment

The Inaugural Unveiling of the State of IL’s FIRST ever Portrait Memorial dedicated to the Fallen was viewed by the Gold Star Families on June 14, 2009 in a closed invitation only event to Honor our Gold Star Families. The MOPH-IL Movable Memorial Wall of Honor is dedicated to all IL service men & women that have given up their lives in Service to our nation, since before we were even a Nation. The extensive history of this Nations wars and conflicts are represented by the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam war panels and followed by Ceramic Tile Photographic Portraits of our IL casualties since 911, from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

This is a Memorial to be viewed by young and old alike, to Honor, Pause, Reflect and Remember the Sacrifices laid down by our Brave Service Men and Women from the “HEART of America!” Two of our women in Uniform that paid the ultimate Sacrifice were with child, when they passed. There are currently #10 Lionesses that have perished in the line of duty. There are 274 individuals Represented & Remembered on the Memorial Wall of Honor. A detailed binder has information about EACH individual’s Military affiliation.

May 18th, 2013 Navy Pier Armed Forces Day with The USO

Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611

10:00am-3:00pm - Registration & Wristband Pick-Up 12:00pm - Armed Forces Day Salute Ceremony at Navy Pier’s

Grand Staircase featuring military color guard, military bands and keynote speaker Brigadier General Daniel M. Krumrei, Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard

http://usoofillinois.org/

May 25th, 2013 Fairbury American Legion racetrack, Memorial Day event * Details TBA

May 28th, 2013 Medinah Country Club http://medinahpatriotday.com/

June 2nd, 2013 Omar E. Torres Memorial Scholarship fundraiser Sundown Meadow Countryside,

*Forest Preserve 10:00 – 3:00 Killed in Action Iraq 8-22-2007

For information and or details about our Memorial Please contact: Patriot Daniel Finn email: Danfinn@moph-il.org

******The Department of IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Organization reserves the right to NOT display the Movable Memorial Wall at any venue due to weather conditions or other unpredictable situations. There are *NO Fees charged for the Display of this Moving Tribute to The Fallen and their Families. The Order has total and complete decision of where and when the Memorial will be displayed for both logistical and appropriate Patriotic Community events. The Members and Leadership of the MOPH-IL are the caretakers and protectors of this Memorial. Thank you for your interest to Pause, Reflect and Remember America’s Brave Service Men & Women that have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Filed Under: Chapter & State activities of Support, Memorial Tagged With: Armed Forces Day, IL Purple Heart, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of the Purple Heart IL, MOPH-IL, Movable Memorial Wall of Honor, Purple Heart Recipient

W.H. Medal of Honor ceremony comments from SSGT Clinton Romesha

February 17, 2013 by

The US Medal of Honor

Staff Sargent Clinton Romesha most Recent Medal of HONOR recipient

Filed Under: Medal of Honor, Veterans News Tagged With: Medal Of Honor, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Purple Heart, SSGT Clinton Romesha

Military Order of the Purple Heart Opposes Precedence of New Defense Medal

February 15, 2013 by

America’s Founding Father

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) adamantly opposes the Department of Defense decision to recognize military personnel whose extraordinary achievements may indirectly impact combat operations while they remain safely away from the battlefield, with an award whose order of precedence would place it above other awards for heroism on the battlefield, such as the Bronze Star for Valor.

As announced, the Distinguished Warfare Medal would even rank higher than the Purple Heart Medal which can only be received by a servicemember who is either wounded or killed in action by the enemy. To rank what is basically an award for meritorious service higher than any award for heroism is degrading and insulting to every American Combat Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine who risks his or her life and endures the daily rigors of combat in a hostile environment.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart strongly urges the newly appointed Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to either reconsider the precedence of the Distinguished Warfare Medal or develop another way to recognize the achievements of those whose indirect actions contribute greatly to the accomplishment of the mission without diminishing the sacrifice of life and limb by those who confront the enemy firsthand on the battlefield.

The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.,” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS Program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.

For additional information, contact:

John E. Bircher III

MOPH National Public Relations Director

Phone: 352-753-5535,

Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org

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Your Local IL MOPH Past State Commander’s Comments…

http://thepillowmom.com/archives/1417

Filed Under: Veterans News Tagged With: Combat Wounded Veterans, Distinguished Warfare Medal, IL MOPH, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Purple Heart Award, Purple Heart Medal

Purple Heart / Hines VA Blind Veteran Luncheon

January 31, 2013 by

Fransceca's 95th Oak Lawn & MOPH Veterans

Francesca’s & Purple Heart celebrate George Washington’s Birthday
2/23/13 Luncheon with the Veterans from Hines VA Blind Center

The State of IL Military Order of The Purple Heart Veterans’ Organization is proud to partner with Francesca’s 95th Restaurant here in Oak Lawn IL to celebrate the birthday of President George Washington! President George Washington this Nation’s Founding Father, February 22, 1732. This would be his Two Hundred and Eighty First Birthday anniversary.

To celebrate this significant milestone the Department of IL MOPH is sponsoring a special luncheon opportunity for hungry supportive citizens to enjoy sumptuous entrees all while supporting the Purple Heart Veterans’ programs. To be exact, this get together is NOT a fundraiser. For further information please contact Daniel Finn: danfinn AT moph-il.org or (708) 837-4510 cell #.

Reserved seating cost will be $25 per person. The meal will include pizza appetizer, pasta side, chicken breast, choice of Non-Alcoholic beverage, and tiramisu dessert. Luncheon will be served promptly at 1:00pm with cash bar after Noon. ALL tickets must be Purchased by Valentine’s Day. A check written to MOPH Chapter 575, mailed to: 3400 W 111th PMB 494 Chicago, IL 60655. Your name will be placed on our confirmation list. NO late reservations or day off participation. * This event is open to anyone that may want to attend.

As of January 1, 2012 The State of IL has officially recognized August 7th as Purple Heart Day, decree signed by Governor Quinn. On August the seventh 1782, then General George Washington proclaimed: “The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favour can be conferred on any man, the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the Commander in chief accompanied with certificates from the Commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the Candidate for reward belonged, or other incontestable proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regiment of the person with the action so certified are to be enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one.”

Francesca’s 95th 6248 W 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL (708) 598-7007 for restaurant

Filed Under: Chapter & State activities of Support, Veterans News Tagged With: Hines VA Blind Center, IL Purple Heart, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MOPH-IL, Purple Heart, Veterans

One of our Patriots needs Prayers

December 22, 2012 by

Patriot Eugene, following National Convention met with an unfortunate accident that left him in a coma on life support. Since then he has recovered to the point where he is mobile and breathing on his own. The healthcare team are in the process of reteaching him how to eat solid food. For three months our member was MIA. We sent the City of Chicago to his home after a couple of weeks of not hearing from him, which was not the norm since he would call Patriot Finn often. We were told by a neighbor he was taken by ambulance to have emergency treatment. His vehicle was towed from in front of his home. After phoning 40+ Hospitals and all the northern IL VA Facilities we still could not locate Eugene. Looking through an old obituary we found from his mother, we found his single family member. They had not spoken for forty years. He however knew of the location where his brother was being cared for. The state has assigned him a legal guardian.

Four months after the incident and just after finding out where Eugene resides, Our LAMOPH Sr Vice President State of IL and a Chapter OIF PH Veteran drove on a mission to visit with our friend. He did not recognize us, and spoke in jumbled sentences. However after receiving a Patriotic Pillow, he read “Thank You” on the card that was tucked within. He also too said the word VA! He was also presented with a Kenny’s Kaps since his injury caused TBI *Traumatic Brain Injury. A glimmer of Hope for possible recovery? This past Wednesday the LAMOPH member did deliver on behalf of the MOPH sweatpants, t-shirts, socks a hooded sweatshirt and slippers. Also too, to remind Eugene he is not alone a 16 x 20 poster was created of a group photo. A small photo book was also given to Eugene to look at hoping this may bring about remembrances. He was always into numbers so we will purchase for him an over sized calculator since his eye wear is no where to be found. I have requested the facility provide an eye examination, filling a corrective prescription for glasses to help him to feel less anxious. They knew NOT of his need for glasses, however every photo proved otherwise.

Please if you are a person of Faith, say a Prayer for our Dear Patriot whom is a devout Catholic. Thank You for your kindness and compassion to remember a Vietnam Veteran, Purple Heart recipient especially now during the Holidays and into the New Year! We will continue to visit Eugene on a regular basis, and are attempting to have him transferred to a IL VA facility, so he may be with his brethren.

NEVER Leave a Man or Woman Behind……………..!

Our Nationally Certified Service Officer Jason Goldsmith, will be assisting us to address Eugene’s Veteran Administration benefit status. If you or someone you know is filing a claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and are in need of a Professional Service Officer? Jason can be reached at (708) 202-5904. Consultations and Service is free and by appointment only. Please call ahead for location, dates and times at either Jessie Brown Regional VA office Chicago, Edward Hines VA Maywood, James A Lovell, Federal Healthcare Center, North Chicago. Our NSOs service all Veterans from all Generations.

MOPH-IL Service Officer program, three convenient office locations

Filed Under: MOPH & Veteran News! Tagged With: Captain James A Lovell Federal Healthcare Center, Edwards Hines VA, FHCC, Jessie Brown VA, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of the Purple Heart IL, MOPH-IL, NSO, Patriot, Purple Heart

Wreaths Across America 12/15/12 Oak Lawn, IL Metra “Patriot Station”

December 14, 2012 by

12/15/12 Wreaths Across America Oak Lawn, IL

The Oak Lawn IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter # 575 & Ladies Auxiliary along with the Patriotic Pillow Project, would like to welcome community citizens one and ALL to participate in the 2012 Oak Lawn Wreaths Across America Ceremony. This year WAA will be presented at more than 800 locations, placing more than 400,000 Wreaths of Remembrance. If you are Not near Oak Lawn listed below are all the varying locations and opportunities to participate. May your Christmas be Merry and may your New Year be Healthy & Safe. RESPECTFULLY Remembering, The “Pillow MOM!”

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992.

Oak Lawn Patriot Station 911 Memorial & The Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial - ILOLVM Oak Lawn IL Saturday, December 15^th, 2012 at 11 am

Our Ceremony of Honor & Remembrance will begin promptly at 11:00 am on December 15^th, 2012 with a Color Guard, Pledge, Singing & of course Wreath Laying Ceremony, and “TAPS” performed by our volunteer Mr. Larry Buttimer of “Bugles Across America!” Following the three site locations, Patriot Station Oak Lawn *Metra Station locations where the Oak Lawn 1^st Responders Memorial is, The Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial adjacent to the O.L. Public Library on the Green 95^th street, and the Children’s Museum 5100 Museum Drive O.L. we will be providing a social Hot Chocolate & Cookie clutch. Come out and meet your neighbors, and learn more about the “Price of FREEDOM!”

Please wear comfortable shoes and be dressed for the weather conditions. For those whom cannot or choose not to visit all three sites, our social site will be available for you to relax at. www://Thepillowmom.com

http://www.facebook.com/PatrioticPillowProject/events

Volunteer Location Leader: Christina Finn

Telephone: 708-837-4510
E-mail: thepillowlady@gmail.com

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Elwood - ILALNE

20953 W. Hoff Rd Elwood IL 60421
Location Graves: 30000
Location Veteran Graves: 30000

Volunteer Location Leader: Debbie Smothers
Telephone: 815-723-6960 815-693-3215 C
E-mail: proudarmysis4@sbcglobal.net

Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Saturday, December 15^th, 2012 at 11 am We have 150 American Flags on 10ft lightweight poles that any Veterans, Military or ROTC are welcome to join in holding. If interested in that they would arrive shortly before 10am and to Tom who will be just south of the main flag pole area. He will give out the poles & tell people where to go. Anyone interested in helping to place wreaths please sign in at the volunteer tent before the ceremony and they will be told what section to go to afterwards. The ceremony will last around 20 minutes and any wreaths will be placed after that. There are currently over 31,000 Veterans buried here and we only have a little over 4500 wreaths to place. We are a long way from our goal of having a wreath for every grave, but the number of wreaths keeps growing each year. We offer a free luncheon to any and all attendees which will be held at the Stone City VFW 124, Stone City Drive, Joliet, IL following the ceremony. I suggest everyone arrive a little early for the ceremony due to parking & volunteer sign up. Also, please dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Rock Island National Cemetery Rock Island - ILRINR

Arsenal Bldg 118 Rock Island IL 61299
Location Graves: 22373
Location Veteran Graves: 15000
We will gather at 11 am on Saturday, December 15^th at the main flag pole at the cemetery for the Wreath Laying ceremony. The Civil Air Patrol Cadets with current and former members of our military will place the ceremonial wreaths at the flag pole for each of the services. This year Major General Kendall Penn, 1^st US Army will be the key note speaker and will place a wreath honoring all past and present members of the Armed Services. We will then place wreaths at random sites of our Fallen.

Volunteer Location Leader: Thomas Nielsen

Telephone: 309-716-8620
E-mail: il008@mediacombb.net

Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial Marseilles - ILMEC

200 River Front Dr Marseilles IL 61341
Location Graves: 6345 Names
Location Veteran Graves: 6345 Names
Wreaths Across America Memorial will be held Saturday, December 15^th, 2012 at 11 AM at the Middle East Conflicts wall in Marseilles, IL You can check out the website at: www.ilfreedomrun.com

Volunteer Location Leader: Craig Herkes

Telephone: 815-462-5932 H / 630-638-8032 C
E-mail: cherkes@chdeli.com

Nix Judy Cemetery Edwardsville - ILNJCE

Hwy 157 Edwardsville IL 62025
Location Graves: 58
Location Veteran Graves: 8
The General George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will be honoring our veterans on Saturday, December 15^th, 2012 at the Nix-Judy Pioneer Cemetery near Edwardsville, IL. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11 am local time in order to be synchronized with hundreds of other Wreaths Across America events occurring simultaneously across America. Ours will be a small ceremony, as the cemetery has not been used since about 1835 and contains only nine known graves of veterans – six from the Revolution and three from the War of 1812. We will, of course, also be honoring those who served in all wars since as well as those who are now wearing the uniforms of their national. Participating in extending honors will be members of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Illinois Society of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Children of the American Revolution. Veterans, members of the Armed Services, and the general public are welcome.

Volunteer Location Leader: Charles Dobias

Telephone: 618-594-8273
E-mail: dobiascd@aol.com

Mound City National Cemetery Mound City - ILMNMC

141 State Hwy 37 Mound City IL 62963
Location Graves: 9000+
Location Veteran Graves: 7500+
We are hosting the Wreaths Across America program this Saturday, December 15^th at 11 am at the cemetery.

Volunteer Location Leader: Becky Kleckner

Telephone: 618-521-5228
E-mail: bekec12@gmail.com

Military Memorial Tuscola - ILMMTL

Douglas County Courthouse 401 South Center St Tuscola IL 61953
Wreaths Across America

Opening Ceremonies Saturday, December 15^th, 2012 Douglas County Courthouse – 10 am

The Civil Air Patrol Squadron 328 will be participating at the Douglas County Courthouse in Tuscola at 10 am. After the ceremony the Cadets will go to the cemetery to lay the remaining wreaths. We welcome all that would like to come to the event.

Volunteer Location Leader: April Kauffman
Telephone: 217-369-5480
E-mail: adk217@yahoo.com

Illinois Valley Area Ceremony La Salle - ILPPLS

Location Graves: Ceremony held at Veterans home and the wreaths are laid at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens La Salle Veterans Home

1015 O’Conor Avenue, La Salle, ILCeremony will begin at 11 am. Immediately following the ceremony we will go to Forest Lawn Cemetery, 552 U.S. Route 6, La Salle, IL to lay wreaths. We would welcome as much help as we can get at the cemetery as we have 500+ wreaths to lay.

Volunteer Location Leader: Toni Lucas

Telephone: 270-703-9799
E-mail: teddibera@gmail.com

Alton National Cemetery Alton - ILANCA

600 Pearl St Alton IL 62002
Location Graves: 540
Location Veteran Graves: 540
We will be laying 500 wreaths at the Alton National Cemetery at 600 Pearl Street in Alton on Saturday, December 15h, 2012 at 11 am. Our service will start promptly at 11 am and will last a little less than 30 minutes.

Volunteer Location Leader: Margaret Hopkins
Telephone: 618-474-2005
E-mail: hopkins1014@sbcglobal.net

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Schaumburg - ILSTPL

202 East Schaumburg Rd Schaumburg IL 60194
Location Veteran Graves: 73
Wreaths Across America – Schaumburg, IL

December 15^th 2012 — 11 am

St. Peter Church

202 East Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194 A short indoor ceremony with posting of the Colors and some short speakers followed by the placing of the wreaths. Afterwards, we will come back inside for food and refreshments.

Volunteer Location Leader: Brendan Seyring
Telephone: 847-651-6895
E-mail: schaumburgwreaths@gmail.com

Rankin Veterans Memorial Monument Rankin - ILRVMM

Rankin IL 60960
Volunteer Location Leader: Brenda Mundell
Telephone: 765-447-2728
E-mail: brenjmu@aol.com

Naval Station Great Lakes Cemetery Great Lakes – ILNSGL

2601 E Paul Jones St Great Lakes IL 60088
Location Graves: 200+
Location Veteran Graves: 200+
Volunteer Location Leader: Valerie McDonald
Telephone: 313-410-7170
E-mail: nwcamcdonald@yahoo.com

St. George Catholic Cemetery Bourbonnais - ILSGCB

5272 East 5000 North Rd Bourbonnais IL 60914

Location Graves: 1200
Location Veteran Graves: 54
Volunteer Location Leader: Mary Ann Kingsnorth
Telephone: 815-370-2297
E-mail: mimk05@aol.com

Glendale Cemetery Washington - ILGCWI

301 Walnut St Washington IL 61571

Location Graves: 6631

Location Veteran Graves: 646

Volunteer Location Leader: Carol Moss

Telephone: 309-444-9076

E-mail: joeeagle@frontier.com

K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home Fox Lake - ILKKHF

Fox Lake IL 60020
Volunteer Location Leader: Mike Carroll
Telephone: 847-587-2100
E-mail: hamsher1212@sbcglobal.net

Quincy National Cemetery Quincy - ILQNCQ

36th & Main St Quincy IL 62301
Location Graves: 700+
Location Veteran Graves: 700+
Volunteer Location Leader: Teresa Pickle
Telephone: 217-222-9571
E-mail: gaptip@sbcglobal.net

Sunset Cemetery at Veterans Home Quincy - ILSVHQ

1705 North 12th Quincy IL 62301
Location Graves: 5000+
Location Veteran Graves: 5000+
Volunteer Location Leader: Teresa Pickle
Telephone: 217-222-9571
E-mail: gaptip@sbcglobal.net

Korean War/ Vietnam Memorial Bloomington - ILKVMB

Miller Park Bloomington IL 61701
Volunteer Location Leader: Larry Wilder
Telephone: 309-766-6954
E-mail: larry.wilder.a5gy@statefarm.com

Danville National Cemetery Danville - ILDNCD

1900 E. Main Danville IL 61832
Location Graves: 11200
Location Veteran Graves: 8000
Volunteer Location Leader: David Switzer
Telephone: 217-497-6682
E-mail: dswitzer112@gmail.com

Camp Butler National Cemetery Springfield - ILCBNS

5063 Camp Butler Rd Springfield IL 62707
Location Graves: 23000
Location Veteran Graves: 23000
Volunteer Location Leader: David McKnelly
Telephone: 217-415-6464
E-mail: david_mcknelly@att.net

DAV #60 covers Mount Hope & Funks Grove & etc McLean - ILDAV60

McLean IL
Volunteer Location Leader: Cleo Jordan
Telephone: 309-874-2717
E-mail: dav60cleo@aol.com

Springdale Cemetery Peoria - ILSCPE

3014 N Prospect Rd Peoria IL 61603
Location Graves: 70000
Location Veteran Graves: unknown (around 500)
Volunteer Location Leader: Jon Austin
Telephone: 309-681-1400
E-mail: jon@springdalecemetery.com

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Filed Under: 911 Remembrance, Main Page, Memorial, MOPH & Veteran News!, National News, Wreaths Across America Tagged With: "Patriot Station" Oak Lawn, 911, Gold Star, Gold Star Families, Illinois, LAMOPH IL, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MOPH-IL, Oak Lawn, The Patriotic Pillow Project, The Pillow Mom, Veterans, WAA, Wreaths Across America

Mattoon Lakeland College Veterans Event

October 30, 2012 by

• Monday, Nov. 5: Lake Land College Mattoon, IL Veterans Week Opening Ceremony with invited guest Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the Lake Land College Theater from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Refreshments will follow in Laker Point and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Moving Wall will also be on display in Laker Point from 9 a.m. to noon; http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/news/detail.cfm?id=1482

Lake Land College to host week-long activities honoring veterans

This year for Veterans Week at Lake Land College, daily events are planned to honor veterans of all ages. Activities will run from Sunday, Nov. 4 and will end on Friday Nov. 9.

“We have a lot of great activities planned for this year’s celebration and we hope to get as many community members, veterans and their families out to celebrate,” said Blake Leitch, AmeriCorps VISTA veteran support officer at Lake Land.

In honor of Veterans Day, 2,000 American flags will be lined down Lake Land Blvd. to campus. To volunteer to place flags along the boulevard on Sunday, Nov. 4 from noon to 2 p.m., contact Leitch at 217-234-5281.

• Monday, Nov. 5: Lake Land College Veterans Week Opening Ceremony with invited guest Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the Lake Land College Theater from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Refreshments will follow in Laker Point and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Moving Wall will also be on display in Laker Point from 9 a.m. to noon; Lake Land College provides assistance and enrollment certification for veterans who wish to use their benefits at Lake Land College. For more information on veteran programs at Lake Land College, visit:www.lakeland.cc.il.us/financialaid/veterans. For more information on Veterans Week activities, call or email Downs at the above contact information. ***********************************************************************

Thursday November 8th Triton College 11:00 A.M.

Monday November 12th Moraine Valley College 10:00 A.M. http://news.morainevalley.edu/Details.aspx?ItemID=727

******The Department of IL Military Order of the Purple Heart Organization reserves the right to NOT display the Movable Memorial Wall at any venue due to weather conditions or other unpredictable situations. There are *NO Fees charged for the Display of this Moving Tribute to The Fallen and their Families. The Order has total and complete decision of where and when the Memorial will be displayed for both logistical and appropriate Patriotic Community events. The Members and Leadership of the MOPH-IL are the care takers and protectors of this Memorial. Thank you for your interest to Pause, Reflect and Remember America’s Brave Service Men & Women that have Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Filed Under: Memorial, MOPH & Veteran News! Tagged With: Combat Wounded Veterans, Lakeland College, Memorial, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MOPH-IL, Movable Memorial Wall of Honor, Purple Heart, Veterans Day

Chapter # 144 Wheaton does it Again, Supporting IL Homeless Vets in Transistion

October 17, 2012 by

Midwest Veterans Homeless Shelter
Wheaton, IL & Chapter # 144 MOPH

This pic shows Sam Maggio, Ken Jacobs, Tex Tracy and Lou Celli, our 90 YO, donating $5,000 to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless vets. We Donated to them hem $7,500 last year, along with IL MOPH Support. Next year’s Goal is to provide additional funds. Those of you that are not coming to our fund raisers, you are missing a good time. We get to meet the public, we talk, we raise money. we all have a good time. Everyone had a relative in the service and I enjoy the respect we get at these functions. We have one coming up November 10th and 11th at the North Wheaton Jewel. We need people to step up, everything costs these days and luckily we don’t have a Vets’ Hall with a mortgage to maintain. Sam #144, Vets Helping Vets.

Filed Under: Chapter & State activities of Support, Veterans News Tagged With: Military Order of the Purple Heart, MOPH Chapter # 144, MOPH-IL, Purple Heart, Wheaton Purple Heart Chapter, Wheaton Veterans Homeless Shelter

Fate’s hold on Frank Barbaric

July 31, 2012 by

Vickroy: Fate’s hold on Frank Barbaric

DONNA VICKROY dvickroy@southtownstar.com | (708) 633-5982 July 4, 2012 5:14PM

Frank Barbaric, 88, of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, talks about his service during World War II. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: July 11, 2012 10:50AM

If there’s no such thing as coincidence, if everything really does happen for a reason, Frank Barbaric wonders why he still is at a loss for an explanation.

It’s been nearly 70 years since he was injured in World War II. Time has brought the Purple Heart recipient more pieces to life’s puzzle but no apparent reason why those parts fell into the places they did.

“It’s all so weird,” he said.

Barbaric is among the 62 remaining graduates of Tilden Tech’s Class of 1942. The majority of the 667 students at the then-all-male high school on Chicago’s South Side went on to serve their country. At class reunions over the years, the men have reconnected and shared stories. Most recent, they convened at Nikos Restaurant in Bridgeview for their 70th and final get-together.

Among the more compelling tales are the ones Barbaric tells.

“That was the first I’d heard of a place called Anzio,” Barbaric said while chatting recently in the kitchen of his home in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, where he lives with his son, Frank. “I was among about 500 soldiers who were shipped in shortly after the initial invasion.”

When they arrived on the rainy, muddy Italian coast in March 1944, the men were lined up. Officers began calling out names and assigning soldiers to outfits. When he heard the name Joseph Connelly, Barbaric’s ears perked up.

Connelly, who lived two doors down from Barbaric in Chicago’s Armour Square neighborhood, was standing just 15 feet in front of him. After the briefing, they talked about things back home.

“He said to me, ‘I’d give my right arm to be back on 63rd and Ashland,’ ” Barbaric said.

Connelly later suffered a serious injury to his right arm.

As they chatted, Connelly told Barbaric that there was another man from the neighborhood among them — a red-haired guy with the last name of Clohessy. Though they hailed from the same area, Barbaric said this was the first time he’d met Clohessy, who was about 10 years older.

That was the last he’d see of him, as well.

A few weeks into his stint at Anzio, Barbaric and another soldier became lost after returning from a supply run. It was after 8 p.m., and the Germans had begun their nightly shelling of the Allied compound. With Barbaric’s foxhole nowhere in sight, the two men banged at the door of an American command post and begged for shelter. They were told the post already was overcrowded and turned away.

“I started swearing and praying,” Barbaric said. Finally, he positioned his head between the two 10-gallon water containers he was carrying and hoped for the best.

He remembers a deafening blast that lifted his body four feet off the ground. It wasn’t until the next day that he discovered he’d been hit with shrapnel in his left ankle and right hip. He was taken to the field hospital, where he learned the command post that had denied him entrance the previous night had taken a direct hit. All but one of the seven men inside were killed.

“The only survivor was the radio man,” Barbaric said.

Barbaric suffered a subsequent case of trench foot (severe frostbite) and was sent to Bagnoli, Italy, for treatment. There, he befriended a doctor who offered some career counseling.

“I had planned to become a lawyer,” Barbaric said. He’d even studied a year at Wright College before being drafted into the Army. “But this doctor said I should become a podiatrist.”

Not only would Barbaric be able to relate to his patients, having endured so much foot pain, the doctor told him podiatry was an up-and-coming field.

After being discharged, Barbaric looked it up and ended up enrolling in an accelerated program in Chicago. Shortly after the war ended, he opened his first office at 61st Street and Ashland Avenue.

It was not unusual for patients to chat about the war.

“One day this Irish lady comes in. She was sad, told me her son had been killed at Anzio,” Barbaric said. They talked some more and the woman pulled out a photograph.

“It was the red-haired Clohessy, the guy Joe Connelly introduced me to,” Barbaric said. “I’d never seen the guy near 63rd and Ashland. I’d only met him on Anzio.”

An even stranger moment came 30 years later when a man came in with a serious toe infection. As Barbaric was treating him, the man continuously asked questions about the war.

“I was getting annoyed. It had been 30 years, and this guy was giving me the third degree,” he said.

Finally, after realizing the guy had served in Anzio with the 5th Army, 45th Division, 179th Regiment, H Company, Barbaric asked him to tell his story. Turned out, the guy was the radio man, the sole survivor of the blast on the command post. The realization made Barbaric drop his instrument.

That man, James Hannah, went on to tell Barbaric that though he hailed from Oklahoma, he’d married a woman from the South Side of Chicago and had relocated.

“I never saw him again,” Barbaric said. “And to this day I don’t know why he came to my office that one time. It’s all so weird.”

Barbaric, a widower who also has a daughter and two grandsons, wonders if maybe the incident simply offered closure on a painful chapter in his life. Or was there a greater, higher significance to all these coincidences?

“All I know is it’s a crazy, small world,” he said. “I still shake when I think about it.”

Filed Under: Chapter & State activities of Support Tagged With: Frank Barbaric, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Oak Lawn MOPH member, Purple Heart Recipient, WWII Veteran

Stolen Valor Act & The Supreme Court decision

June 28, 2012 by

Military Order of the Purple Heart Disappointed in Supreme Court Decision to Overturn the Stolen Valor Act

Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States voted to overturn the Stolen Valor Act by upholding the decision of the 9th Circuit Court, in the case of the United States vs. Alvarez. Originally tried in a California court, Mr. Alvarez was convicted for claiming to be a retired Marine with 25 years of military service and a recipient of both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart Medal. Alvarez, who never actually served in the military, later appealed the decision and won in the 9th Circuit Court on the basis that the 2005 Stolen Valor Act infringes upon speech protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In defending the law, the Obama administration had argued that “military awards serve as public symbols of honor and prestige, conveying the nation’s gratitude for acts of valor and sacrifice; and they foster morale… and esprit de corps within the military. False claims to have received military awards undermine the system’s ability to fulfill these purposes,” and “make the public skeptical of all claims to have received awards….” By its decision, the Supreme Court has made clear that, while “contemptible” and worthy of outrage and ridicule, the right to lie about valor, heroism, and the receipt of military decorations is protected by the 1st Amendment

Reacting to the news, MOPH National Commander Bill Hutton said, “While disappointed in this decision, The Military Order of the Purple Heart has always been and remains a staunch supporter of the U.S. Constitution and the individual citizen’s right to freedom of speech. All of our members, who proudly wear the Purple Heart Medal, regard the award as a testament of their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the defense of the freedoms that all Americans enjoy.” According to Hutton, “as the Congress originally considered the Stolen Valor Act, the MOPH was one of only two Veteran Service Organizations invited to join in a press conference to announce the legislation and wholeheartedly supported its passage.” He noted, “In their dissension with the Court’s decision, Justices Alioto, Scalia and Thomas said, “The Stolen Valor Act follows a long tradition of efforts to protect our country’s system of military honors. When George Washington, as the commander of the Continental Army, created the very first ‘honorary badges of distinction’ for service in our country’s military, he established a rigorous system to ensure that these awards would be received and worn by only the truly deserving. (See General Orders of George Washington Issued at Newburgh on the Hudson, 1782–1783, p. 35 & 36) Washington warned that anyone with the ‘insolence to assume’ a badge that had not actually been earned would be ‘severely punished’.”

In keeping with George Washington’s admonition, The MOPH recommends that the Congress not consider this a closed case. Even in its decision to overturn the Stolen Valor Act, the High Court said “I believe the statute nonetheless has substantial justification. It seeks to protect the interests of those who have sacrificed their health and life for their country. The statute serves this interest by seeking to preserve intact the country’s recognition of that sacrifice in the form of military honors. To permit those who have not earned those honors to claim otherwise dilutes the value of the awards. Indeed, the Nation cannot fully honor those who have sacrificed so much for their country’s honor unless those who claim to have received its military awards tell the truth.” The MOPH joins the Court in urging the Congress to draft a more restrictive bill that still preserves the intent of the Stolen Valor Act while not infringing on the individual’s right to freedom of speech.

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The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.,” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH a and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.

Filed Under: MOPH & Veteran News!, National News Tagged With: Military Fraud, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MOPH, Stolen Valor Act, Supreme Court decision

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