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“My service, it shaped everything that I am, both professionally and personally."
Thank You, Veterans
A tribute to local veterans
Kendall County Now/Shaw Local News Network
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Retired U.S. Navy Captain Len Wass lived a fascinating career, serving aboard submarines and later as a successful management consultant in civilian life.
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Billy Colbert, who joined the US Army in 2001, said he had two main motivations for enlisting, the biggest being his family’s past generations of service.
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He loaded ordnance onto Air Force fighter/bombers while stationed in Thailand.
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Air Force veteran Don Carpenter found inspiration through his military experience to become a firefighter, helping him gain the skills needed to lead the fire department as a Lieutenant.
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Rick Gardner knows the importance of veterans getting together and socializing. Gardner, a Vietnam vet, is co-president of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club.
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Even though he is no longer part of the military, lifelong Sandwich resident and Vietnam War veteran Bill Meyer continues to serve.
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The 53-year-old Kearns, who grew up in Boulder Hill in Kendall County and is a 1989 Oswego High School graduate, is a lieutenant at the Oswego Fire Protection District, which serves the communities of Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville and Plainfield.
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Read Kendall County area thank you letters in honor of our Veterans
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Mike Melcher of Yorkville is an Iraq War combat veteran whose military experience helped provide him with the foundation for future success serving his community.
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Nancy Judge started her career in the U.S. Air Force loading nuclear weapons onto B-1B bombers and finished with the service’s highest enlisted rank of command chief master sergeant.
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Now retired after a long and impressive career in the Air Force and Army Reserve as well as civilian employment, Lake, who has traveled all over the world, made the short move from Sandwich to Plano where he’s now making the most of his golden years today.
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Loren Monsess was just 19 he was drafted in 1969.
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Since statehood, and even before, Illinois has been well-represented in American wars. In many cases, Illinois was among national leaders in the number of men and women supplied to the service.
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Know a veteran who needs help? Here’s how to set up a wellness check through Operation Connect a Vet
Just in time for Veterans Day, Illinois Joining Forces is launching an effort to connect veterans with services they may need.The effort is called Operation Connect a Vet.