First Sgt. George Theodore Hyatt of the 127th Illinois Infantry exemplifies the Illinois soldiers from the Civil War to World War II to Korea to Vietnam who won the Medal of Honor.
Thank You, Veterans
A tribute to local veterans
Herald-News/Shaw Local News Network
The family of Marine Corps Pfc. Charles John Alexander was reunited with his Purple Heart after it was found in a forgotten safe deposit box.
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.
Bill Klee is a Vietnam War veteran who continues to help other veterans like himself through many activities as the VFW post in New Lenox. Klee said veterans like himself still struggle with their experiences in war.