Air Force veteran Jen Solum head the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County, which plans to expand veterans services in 2025 as it moves into new building.

Reza Jaddi said he is a huge champion of Wounded Warrior Project, Romeoville American Legion Post 52 and any veteran Jaddi happens to meet. He even bought a Humvee in 2017 to give the community an idea of "what our veterans used out in the field," he said.

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Check out our photos from our Thank You Veterans special section in Will County for 2025.

While national military cemeteries receive thousands of these wreaths, former military men and women are buried everywhere and in Joliet’s Woodlawn Memorial Park, a group of volunteers is working to make sure they are remembered, too.

Phyllis Clower hid her injury in the Army for six years to serve her country. Now she gives back to the community by volunteering with the organization who helped her get her life back on track.

For many veterans, the sense of service and desire to impact lives for the better didn’t stop when their military career ended.

Tony Arellano, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, was honored this year as a veteran but emphasizes the importance of remembering veterans for their service to the country.

Brian Skraba, 39, a Marine veteran who served from 2004 to 2008 – including one deployment to Iraq – is currently working on his doctorate in nursing.

NuMark Credit Union, which has multiple locations in Will County and other communities, supports veteran-related causes throughout the year.