A total of about 100 Sun City area veterans, representing all branches of military service – US Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard, stood by groups at the edge of the Veterans Memorial softball diamond’s infield.
The military servicemen’s tours of duty ranged from the 1950s to 1999. And for seven plus years, they have been honored at the Sun City Honor Our Veterans event.
“I think it’s a great event,” Army veteran and Huntley village trustee Vito Beguni said.
Two members, Frank Sansone and Rich Jamrozy, were presented with Valor Quilts by the Gazebo Quilting Committee. Both said they were honored to receive a quilt.
“The quilts sometimes bring the veterans to tears,” Bev Kenny said. “We make them at home from books and patterns.”
Sansone, a Navy veteran, mentioned another honor he received.
“I just took an Honor Flight,” he said, of the trip for veterans to Washington, D.C. “They bused us to Milwaukee, then flew to D.C and we saw all the patriotic sites, including Marine Helicopters that fly the president.”
Navy veteran Pete Karambelas, a 101-years young Sun City resident, had the honor of throwing out the first pitch. Also, the McHenry County Veterans Affairs Commissioner Nate Johnson presented him with the certificate for his military service and becoming 100-years-old. Karambelas fired a strike to the catcher, and later received a softball autographed by other players.
“It was real nice to be recognized,” soft-spoken Karambelas said.
Emcee Glenn Grobeli, a planning committee member, summed up the purpose of Honor Our Veterans.
“Each year this event gives us a chance to showcase the brave men and women of Sun City, over 100 of them are here today,” Groebli said. “They are proud to call themselves veterans. We call them heroes today. As we look around the problems of the world, we are still and always will be, the best country in the world due to the heroes you will meet today. May we never forget the men and women that served our country.”
Sun City Marine Corps Color Guard members Doug Logan, Joe Scorn, Mac McCarthy, Tom Culumber and Cliff Krueger posted the colors after veterans were arranged by service branch. Rich Anlenbrandt performed taps. Also, Kimberly Behrans sang the National Anthem and God Bless America; Retired U.S. Army Col. Cliff Dungey led in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Gary Krewer and Rich Anle
Gold Star families, immediate relatives of U.S military service members who died in the line of duty, took a bow. This includes spouses, parents, siblings, and children.
Also, Blue Star Families, who are immediate family members of someone currently serving in active duty, National Guard, Reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service.
BraveHearts Theraputic Riding of Harvard brought two horses and representatives explained how their program assists veterans, Training sites are in Harvard and Poplar Grove.
“BraveHeart saved my life,” Army veteran Mitchell Reno said, “They gave me my voice, sanity. They have younger horses, but some can live up to age 39. They have a program where 20 veterans ride for 20 miles, to raise awareness because 20 veterans die by suicide each day, and we hope to make that zero. We go through major cities, such as New York and Chicago.”
