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OWYH
Run for the Brave 5K
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In
Memoriam
Just a Common Soldier by A.
Lawrence Vaincourt |
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US Army Sgt George E Pollitt
July 23, 1923 -- September 16, 2016
Sgt Pollitt proudly, honorably served our country during World War Two, serving in WWII European Theater. George was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army of Occupational Medal, WWII Medical, American Campaign Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, Carbine Rifle Medal, French Liberation Medal serving in the Battle of the Bulge.
Our Father was a humble yet proud man. He lived for our mom Esther, wife of 70 years and his six children Donna (founder of Operation Welcome You Home), Johnny, Georgie, Debbie, Dawn and Denise. Sadly his sons Georgie and USMC Johnny passed way too soon before Dad which broke Dad’s heart.
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John Dreymann
Jon Dreymann tragically died in a motorcycle
accident on August 13, 2009 on the first leg of a 10 day
vacation. Jon was a founding member of the Illinois chapter of
the Warriors Watch Riders, which provides motorcycle escorts for
returning and deploying soldiers. Jon said servicemen and women
deserved "a hero's welcome and wanted our military to feel like
Rock Stars". |
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Ron Oswald
Ron Oswald Age 57, of Minooka,
passed away suddenly Saturday, July 14, 2012 from injuries
sustained in a motorcycle accident. While Ron was not a veteran,
he spent a lot of his time honoring those who served by riding
his motorcycle. |
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John A. Schofield
MGYSGT
United
States Marine Corps
Vietnam, Persian Gulf
March 18, 1947 - October 18, 2007
John was a man that lived by
his Core Values till his last day. John was
a man who possessed what few men have and
most men chase their whole lives. Those
values are HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT.
HONOR is the quality that guides Marines to
exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral
behavior. COURAGE is the mental, moral, and
physical strength ingrained in MARINES TO
CARRY THEM THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF COMBAT
and the MASTERY OF FEAR. And COMMITMENT the
spirit of determination and dedication
within. It is the ingredient that enables
24-hour-a-day dedication to Corps, Country,
and family. God bless you John and know YOU
WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! |
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Thomas
Boyle
Born November 13, 1949, in
Chicago to the late Thomas and Regina Boyle,
he was killed Monday, June 18, 2012, while
working as a security contractor in
Afghanistan. He was known as a patriot who
loved his country and a person who never
stopped trying to assist others.
A Marine and two-tour,
veteran of Vietnam, who earned the Cross of
Gallantry, Mr. Boyle served the Chicago
Police Department for 30 years and, upon
retirement, went on to work for a private
detective agency, and then as a security
contractor overseas. In addition to the time
he served in Afghanistan, Mr. Boyle also
served in Kosovo and Iraq, where he provided
security and training in law enforcement.
Locally, Mr. Boyle was
personally responsible for capturing
brothers Tyrone and Larry Strickland, who
were later convicted of murdering Wheeling
Police Officer Kenneth Dawson in November of
1985. He also recovered the weapon used in
Dawson's fatal shooting. |
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David
Spatafora
Spatafora, David A. Age 72,
passed away Thursday January 3, 2013.
Veteran serving US Coast Guard from 1963 to
1968 and a member of the Plainfield Moose
Lodge 2491 |
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Normal
F. "Bud" Bilek
United States Navy
Korean War
November 4, 1930 - January 17, 2013
"Good Morning" |
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US
Army William Cotal Sr.Korean War
Veteran
September 26, 1929 - May 2, 2013 |
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USMC Ronald J. SmolikJuly 28, 1938 -
March 26,2013 |
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US Army Joseph T. Hron
December 4, 1929 - March 16,2014 |
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WWII
US Army Alfred BaulerNovember 14,
1923 - July 7, 2014
Alfred Bauler served with
the Company K 34th Infantry 3rd Battalion in
the Army. He was in service from February
11, 1943 to January 10, 1946. He was
decorated with 3 Oversea Service Bars,
American Campaign Medal, Atistic Pacific
Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars,
Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory
Medal and Purple Heart. |
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James
P. OstienFebruary 20, 1948 - May 2,
2013 |
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Robert Louis Smith, Jr.
April 20, 1945 - September 30, 2014
Robert Louis Smith, Jr.
(Bob), 69, of Rolling Meadows, Illinois died
on September 30, 2014 at Mayo Clinic
Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Born April
20, 1945 in Warren, Ohio to Robert Louis
Smith, Sr. and May Elizabeth Smith. His
younger brother, Richard LeRoy Smith and
both parents preceded him in death.
Bob enlisted in the US Army
in 1963 where he served as a combat veteran
attached to the 5th Special Forces Group in
Vietnam. He remained active with multiple
veteran organizations throughout his life
and career in student transportation with
Cook-Illinois Corporation. He became a
lifetime member of American Legion - Post
208, Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 981,
VietNow - Berwyn/Cicero Chapter, Veterans of
the Vietnam War and Special Forces
Association Chicago - Chapter XXXVII. Bob
helped lead efforts to expand the Illinois
Veteran’s Foundation; the National Veteran’s
Art Museum and helped establish both the
Orland Park and Rolling Meadows Veteran
Commissions. He was co-founder of the
Warriors’ Watch Riders in Illinois.
Robert is survived by his
wife of 17 years, Chris (Doric) Smith and
three children, Robert L. Smith, III
(Shelley), Rebecca Smith-O’Connell (Brian)
and Jennifer Rider (Sebastien), and six
grandchildren: Carson, Bo, Luke, Claire,
Linnea and Wyatt. |
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Frank Gordon
September 14, 1939 - December 20, 2014
Not only was he Great Man, A
Marine, a Husband, Father, and an AWESOME
Pa~Pa, he was also Aurora's Secret Santa!!
Frank and his wife started
the Toys For Tots in Aurora in their living
room, to make sure that every child in
Aurora gets a toy for Christmas!! Every toy
that was donated, STAYED IN THE AURORA
AREA!!! It grew so big that they were in
warehouse in 2 years, and then in a bigger
warehouse the next!! This year it was moved
to Batavia, (why? I'm not to sure, but Josh
knows) and EVERY TOY was delivered thanks to
Josh... (The day that Dad died, we all can
hear him, say "Get those last Toys
delivered,) and they were.!!!!
Proud children: Davi,
Casi, Dani and Josh.
12 Grandchildren, Tyler,
Alaina, Skyla, Ashlie, Seth, Bobby, Ian,
Ronica, Jayden, Charlize,(and 2 that are in
Heaven with Dad and Mom William and James)
In addition to Toys for
Tots, Frank was a Huge supporter of
Operation Welcome You Home and a member of
the Fox Valley Marines Detachment #1233.
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Jesse Vazquez
1963 - 2015
Jesse was known for being a
member of the Kane County Board and was an
untiring worker for the various service
organizations and charities throughout the
area. Some of those organizations included
being a powerful champion for the Marie
Wilkinson Food Pantry, 18 years as a member
of the Montgomery Planning Commission,
serving on the Aurora Chamber of Commerce as
a member of the Board of Directors and so
many other service organizations throughout
the area. Member of the Amvets and Fox
Valley Marines. |
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Francis "Frank" C. Fahey
April 23, 1925 - August 25- 2015
He proudly served his
country during World War II |
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US Navy Donald "Don" H. Ellis
January 8, 1954- December 4, 2016
Don's Father wrote a beautiful tribute to his son: "My Loving Son Donnies: Donnie was always a caring and loving son. As an adult he was a fantastic husband, father, brother and wonderful grandfather! Donnie had a magnetic personality. He was very well respected by his family, friends and business associates. He really enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Club. Donnie took pleasure i volunteering and doing charitable work--especially for Operation Welcome You Home. Last year Donnie and his brother Bryan came to visit me in Florida. It was my 83rd birthday and was the best gift they could have given me. I so enjoyed our time together. They both had their motorcycle and rode all the back roads in the area. It was a great brother time for them both. Donnie was an excellent musician. He played the bass guitar in the Worship Band at church. He had a very strong Christian Faith. The Lord came and took Donnie to his heavenly home. We must take comfort in this knowledge. I know you are at home with our Lord and Savior--Jesus Christ. God Bless You My Son
Love Forever, Dad G Ellis
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US
Army Richard LopezMarch 8, 1930 -
August 9, 2009
Korean War
Uncle of OWYH founder Donna Morsovillo |
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Wayne
L. Tuntland Sr.June 25, 1940 -
February 28, 2017
Wayne L. Tuntland, Sr., 76, of Ottawa, was called home to God Tuesday, February 28, 2017. He was born June 25, 1940 in Ottawa, to Elmer and Stella (Larson) Tuntland. On October 16, 1964, he married Sandra Plique of Marseilles who survives.
Wayne served in the Navy on the USS Macon. He had been employed by International Harvester and he retired from the National Guard armory in Streator. He and Sandra owned and operated the Quick Wash Laundromat and The Upper Room in Marseilles for over 30 years.
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