:quality(70):focal(2180x907:2190x917)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/QKLRQY47WBF7PPNYDD32NYA3NY.jpg)
When he was 8, Dennis J. Znaniecki watched the Color Guard march during the Memorial Day Parade, and finally, one year, turned to his grandmother and said, “I’m going to do that one of these days.”
Thank You, Veterans
A tribute to local veterans
Illinois Valley/Shaw Local News Network
:quality(70):focal(802x238:812x248)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/PPBAIX2NKNCQTGXMJVUW2Z3GEU.jpg)
Marine Corps veteran Terry Fischer of Ottawa knew a rare figure in the Vietnam War: a winner of the Medal of Honor being considered for sainthood. Fischer talks about his time with the Rev. Vincent Capodanno.
:quality(70):focal(1883x1468:1893x1478)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/MMWMPOSJ2JHFTBOY7S4ZR5DZFU.jpg)
West Point graduate and Desert Storm veteran Caroline Wolf, and her husband Hank, renovated a nearly 120-year-old corner storefront in downtown Ottawa and opened Heartland by Hand, which specializes in custom framing and gifts.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/WEZHKIYLTZGUZIN2625PZLZN6M.jpg)
La Salle County State's Attorney Joe Navarro reflects on his decision to join the Marines and how it shaped his life.
:quality(70):focal(812x697:822x707)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/SDEE2JHCBNC7FNPPZ423HXJEMM.jpg)
Piety Hill native Susan “Suz” (Gaull) Whitman changed the course of Navy history. She retired from the U.S. Navy in 2018 as Fleet Master Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. She was the highest-ranking, non-commissioned female officer in the Navy.
:quality(70):focal(702x730:712x740)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/ENVHWAXVXVEVFEZLWGRPCQBTGA.jpg)
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Joyce Cook has had many adventures as a Red Cross volunteer.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/IFWCIPBKJRDULED7URHYHATOCQ.jpg)
Read Thank You Letters to NewsTribune Area Veterans
:quality(70):focal(2161x486:2171x496)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/2FMTFKLV3NG5PKZ7HCNAYS527M.jpg)
Cody Burroughs said he wouldn’t be who he is today without the military, adding that he probably would have failed as a professional had he not served.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/AJHWN6IIR5EH3LWXRIWTR5NTTE.jpg)
La Salle-Peru special education teacher and assistant swimming coach Brent Thomas served in the Air Force from 1995 to 2004. His wife also is an Air Force veteran while his two daughters are currently serving.
:quality(70):focal(916x556:926x566)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/O7L46J3BZFFLVCYBRUX4NXB4PA.jpg)
Former U.S. Navy nuclear specialist Rich Jurden and family are thriving in Ottawa and he has taken his expertise to the La Salle nuclear power plant in Marseilles.