Iraq, Vietnam vets join WWII counterparts in valor memorial 

By Hayley Carlton 

A World War II victory garden at 30th and Canal Streets was rededicated on Friday, Nov. 9, after the names of two soldiers from the community killed in action since the garden was created (one in the Iraq War recently and one in Vietnam in 1966) were added to those of four military personnel killed during Word War II.

            “We are remembering the people from our community who gave the supreme sacrifice,” said Alderman James Balcer of the 11th Ward.

Held in honor of Veterans' Day, the rededication featured the junior ROTC of Tilden Academy presenting the colors and elementary school children from Dwyer School singing the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. Veterans from various wars and school children also attended the ceremony, which included laying a wreath on the garden.

            “We really should not just remember the veterans on this one day,” said Cook County Commissioner John Daley, who spoke at the dedication. “The number of homeless veterans is a disgrace.” Daley said the community was remembering the dead veterans, “especially the Lill family, who lost their child just a few months ago.” Daley added he knew how hard it was for a parent to bury a child from seeing his mother deal with his sister’s death.

            Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, who grew up in Bridgeport, also spoke. “I came of age at 31st and Wallace,” said Peraica, who talked about the importance of health care for veterans. “If we cannot take care of our veterans and provide them with basic rehabilitation services and health care upon their return, then we cannot do anything.”

Peraica recently sponsored a veterans health care resolution in the county board. “I urge you to call your representatives,” national, state, and county, about veterans' healthcare, he said.

            Service personnel remembered at the memorial garden are the Army's Eric Lill, killed in Iraq; the Army's Larry Storm, killed in Vietnam; and four servicemen who died in World War II: the Army’s Melvin Orterreich and Robert Conroy, the Navy's James Dragon, and the Marines' Charles Hobler.

Strom had lived across the street from the garden his entire life before being drafted at age 20. At the rededication, his childhood friend, Tom Weaver, said Storm was killed a year after he was called up; while leading a convoy with the Rev. Billy Graham in tow, Storm's Jeep hit a landmine. “Larry and I used to raise the flag here when we were kids,” Weaver said. “He always used to say, ‘We’re doing a nice thing for these guys.’ I never, never thought that we would be here memorializing him.”

            Dragon’s nephew also spoke, saying, “I never met my uncle. All I remember is pictures of him and a little tiny memorial at 31st and Normal. I used to walk down there with my grandparents almost daily…I wish they were here to see the response.”

            Lill’s father, Tony, spoke as well. “I just want to say, this is hard," he said. "I just lost my son.” Lill thanked the community for being there for himself and his family. “The rededication is a dedication to everyone in the community who has come together to support our troops,” Lill said.

            “That sums it up,” said Balcer. “No matter what your position is on the war, we should always support our troops…it’s time to thank the troops.” He added that supporting the troops means more than saying "thank you;" it also means making sure the troops are taken care of.