“Veterans Day is November 11,” wrote Russ Harwood who went on to tell about a special breakfast to honor all local Veterans the following day.
At 7:30AM on Sat., Nov. 12, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church will begin honoring and celebrating Veterans Day by inviting veterans and friends to breakfast. All are welcome.
“We are pleased to have Pablo Araya, a lifelong Naperville resident and Navy Veteran as our guest speaker,” said event organizer Harwood, who added that Araya will tell his family’s story of pursuing The American Dream.
Last January he began writing monthly columns for Positively Naperville. In July he wrote about growing up in Naperville, his Navy service and his career as a Special Agent of the FBI.
Harwood continued, “After seven and a half years, and six relocations, Pablo and his wife Renae made the tough decision to leave active duty. Their young daughter had moved four times in six years, and they did not feel it was a good way to raise her. Pablo and Renae have known each other since First Grade at Highland School and both wanted to return to their roots – Naperville. In 1995 Pablo accepted an appointment to the FBI. His first office of assignment was Chicago. Upon reporting he was assigned to the Violent Crimes/Fugitive Task Force. He wound up working as a “Street Agent,” in Chicago for his entire career, retiring nearly 21 years later.”
Today, Araya runs his own Security, Protection and Investigative firm, Harwood added.
Araya joined the Judd Kendall VFW Post in 1993 and worked his way through the “Chairs,” eventually becoming Commander of Judd Kendal Post 3873 in 2018 serving a two-year tenure. He remains active at the Post and is currently a Trustee. Since its inception, he’s also been chairman of the annual Judd-A-Thon, a fundraiser for the VFW National Home for Children.
“You gotta hear him, he’s got grit…and stories.” added Harwood, also noting that The Chorus of DuPage is planning for 10 of its members to sing.
Doors open for coffee at 7:30AM with breakfast at 8. The program will begin around 8:30, ending about 9:30AM.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church is located at 815 S. Washington St.
