Above / On October 5, Navy veteran Jim “Doc” Daly took the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his guardian, Naperville resident Bill Jeffries. Upon his return to Midway Airport, Daly was greeted by cheers, patriotic music and Governor Bruce Rauner. (Photo courtesy Christine Jeffries)
On Sunday, October 16, the Naperville Council of the Navy League of the United States will host its annual fundraiser at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
According to Terry Jelinek, the event is to celebrate the 241st birthday of the United States Navy with the Naperville Council, Navy League of the United States. The official birthday of the U.S. Navy is October 13, 1775.
Members of the organization are encouraged to invite close friends, neighbors and relatives— and
even to bring “not so close friends.”
The Social Hour begins at 5PM followed by a dinner serving prime rib at 6PM. A brief program is also scheduled.
The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson Avenue in Naperville.
The cost of the dinner is $20 per person. A cash bar will be available. Â Dress is casual.
To reserve a seat or a table, call Jelinek at (630) 357-5366 by October 13.
Commissioning the USS ILLINOIS
The newest submarine in the United States Navy, the USS ILLINOIS (SSN786), will be commissioned October 29, 2016.
During a special ceremony in Groton, Connecticut, that day, the order will be given for the crew to come aboard “to make the ship come alive,” said Jelinek who has been serving on the Commissioning Committee with his wife, Sue.
The last time a ship was commissioned with the name of the state of ILLINOIS was in 1897.
“The USS ILLINOIS is an advanced stealth multi-mission nuclear powered submarine. The hull size has a length of 377 feet and an interior width of 34 foot and has a crew of 140,” added Terry Jelinek.
“This submarine contains many new advanced technological systems. The periscope has been replaced by masts, minimizing water displacement thus enhancing its stealth capabilities. The masts give eyes and ears to assist the crew in multiple operations. It can be used to gather intelligence, deploy special operations units and attack land targets.”
The Jelineks will be attending the commissioning ceremony in Groton, Connecticut. The ceremony is open to the public and will include “tours of the boat and a party on the pier.”
Individuals who are unable to travel to the commissioning can be part of the celebration by streaming the event live online.
For more information, visit www.USSILLINOIS.org.
Honor Flights for WWII & Korean War Veterans
On Wed., Oct. 5, another Honor Flight departed for a day in Washington, D.C., from Midway Airport.
“(My dad) had such an amazing day – really, just amazing,” said Naperville resident Christine Jeffries, as PN compared similar responses from other veterans who have experienced the well-organized and delivered Honor Flight since the visits first started from Springfield, Ohio, in 2005.
According to websites throughout the nation that host Honor Flights such as the one that departs from Midway, “…The American veteran is one of our greatest treasures—the men and women who answered our nation’s call, especially at times of our greatest need.”
The aim of the Honor Flight network is “to transport America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends.”
At Honor Flight Chicago, the “mission is to thank and pay tribute to these heroes—especially our World War II and Korean War veterans—by bringing them to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and remembrance at no cost to them.”
Locally, an important fundraiser is hosted by the DuPage Veterans Foundation on the first Saturday in May inside the Calamos Hangar at the DuPage Airport in West Chicago.  The nonprofit organization began when a small group of individuals including many from Naperville “set out to hold a charitable event to fund a flight for WWII veterans” via Honor Flight Chicago.
According to the group’s website, “an evolution took place as interest from the DuPage community heightened… and individuals came forward who shared the common sentiment that our military deserve our appreciation and our support.”
Today the DuPage Veterans Foundation has broadened the scope of assistance to all veterans.
Over Labor Day weekend in September 2016, PN editors were blessed to be in Washington, D.C., to experience the amazing tribute to World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans during an Honor Flight that departed from Indianapolis.
PN Publisher Stephanie Penick’s father was among the World War II veterans that made the trip on Sept. 3.
Vietnam veteran Jim Crookston, Penick’s brother, served as guardian for his World War II veteran father, Don Crookston. Both men served in the Navy. Both men expressed their appreciation for the attention to detail and first-class treatment they received every step of the way on the Honor Flight.
Back in Naperville, Vietnam veteran Wayne Fischer serves with the DuPage Veterans Foundation and other Naperville veterans’ organzations, seeking to help identify veterans from World War II and Korean conflicts to match up with guardians to take on the Honor Flight. The one-day trip includes visits to the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials and new friendships found, long to be remembered.
Fischer, encourages anyone who knows a veteran who served in World War II or the Korean War to help that military man or woman apply for an Honor Flight in order to visit the tributes and memorials that express gratitude for service in a special place along the Washington Mall that recognizes “freedom isn’t free.”
The 6th Annual Honor Flight Chicago fundraiser is slated for Sat., May 6, 2017. Save the date!
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