Marlowe ceremony salutes all veterans

HUNTLEY — More than 100 area veterans stood as their names were read at the close of Marlowe Middle School’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Students, school staff and veterans’ family members gathered for breakfast and a Veterans Day salute, all said, in various ways, “Thank you, Veterans.”

“It’s my favorite day of the school year,” Karey Miller, faculty advisor for Marlowe’s Student Service Club, said. “The students ask a lot of great questions, and some have their grandparents or parents here. They learn how to meet veterans, shake their hands and thank them for their service.”

Veterans praised the ceremony’s importance.

“It’s a wonderful tribute to all who served. The support is marvelous,” Doug Logan, a Sun City Marine Corps color guard member, said.

Logan was active in the US Marines Corps from 1960-1973, active for the first five years. “I enjoyed it,” he said of his service to his country.

“I love it, it’s great to honor all who served,” fellow Sun City Marine Corps Color Guard member Joe Scorn said of the event.

“It’s a wonderful event,” Orland McCarthy, a Purple Heart recipient, commented.

Gunnar Hanson, a Navy veteran, attended with his children, Rhonda and John Holycross of Elgin.

This was the second Veterans Day event for Marlowe Student Service Club member Omera Sulejman, a seventh grader. Students gave each veteran in the audience a flower at the start of the program.

“We started to prepare on Friday with putting up the posters. It was really good to meet all the veterans,” Sulejman said.

“It’s sweet, great to say thanks to them,” Ava Verhagen, an eighth grader, whose dad is a veteran, said.

Marlowe Middle School groups participating also included the chorus and band. Student Jolene McMahon read “Veterans Day Poem” and student Lacey Van Yzendoorn won the school’s art contest.

Veteran Ted Rozoll, of Sun City, who served in the Navy from 1955-60, placed dog tags representing a fallen soldier on the Fallen Heroes Display made by Steven Slater for Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231.

The display includes a rifle and bayonet pointed toward the ground, which is shown for a soldier killed in action; a helmet is the symbol of the soldier’s ultimate sacrifice and the combat boots are displayed for the soldier’s last battle.

“It’s a very special display for me, because my wife lost a brother in Vietnam,” Rozoll said.

Gary Gartell of Huntley was on hand to present information on the Chicago Honor Flights to Washington, D.C.

“I’m one of many recruitment volunteers for Chicago Honor Flight. I went with my father-in-law on one back when I was working and told myself, ‘this is a worthy organization’.”

In addition to the Marlowe Middle School Veterans Day event, Huntley American Legion Post 673, its Sons of the American Legion Squadron and Auxiliary, and the village hosted a program Nov. 9 at Huntley Town Square.