Veterans come together to help one of their own

Help repair a ramp and deck at the home of World War II veteran Col. Angelo Di Liberti

A group of veterans have come together to help one of their own.

In December, 17 local veterans together with community members to repair a ramp and deck at the South Elgin home of 93-year-old Col. Angelo Di Liberti, a World War II veteran and commander of the AMVETS Post 503 based at the St. Charles Veterans Center.

“They all came together because he’s a much loved character, as you can imagine,” said Vanessa Bell-LaSota, community liaison for the St. Charles Veterans Center. “We’d anything for him. He’s in his original home in South Elgin of 37-plus years.”

Last June, Liberti married Patty Russell-Heth in St. Charles. Following the wedding, a socially distance drive-by reception was held.

The project, which cost about $8,000, became a reality through various donations and a $2,500 grant from the Home Depot in South Elgin and several cooperating Home Depot stores. The new ramp was donated by a St. Charles resident.

Vietnam veteran Jeff Meisner of American Legion Post 342, also based at the St. Charles Veterans Center, led the team with contractor Jason Kruse to modify and install the ramp and demolition the aging rear deck, which is the home’s secondary fire exit.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, they were determined to get the project done.

“They were out there in all weather,” Bell-LaSota said. “They just kept working until nighttime every day.”

Although he is 93 and uses a cane, Liberti enjoys remaining active. Fox example, he’s done more than 150 tandem jumps at Sky Dive Chicago.

“Even as recently as last year, he was still jumping,” Bell-LaSota said.

More information about the St. Charles Veterans Center is available at its website, stcharlesveteranscenter.org.