Ald. Balcer recommends memorial for dedicated to those who serve in war on terror
By Sarah Severson
Eleventh Ward Alderman James Balcer has announced a Chicago City Council
resolution to erect a war memorial dedicated to the men and women who have
served the United States in the global war on terror, which began after the
terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Balcer met with Mayor Richard M. Daley and the City Council on April 9 and petitioned for a memorial to honor American military personnel. He has submitted a resolution to the City’s Department of General Services to prepare a report examining the feasibility and cost of creating this monument. Balcer expects the report to be presented to the City Council within six months.
In his resolution, the alderman explained the need to pay tribute to sacrifices made by members of the armed forces.
“In the nation’s participation in the global war on terror, more than 1.5 million brave American men and women have served in the United States armed forces, with thousands of them making the ultimate sacrifice so others may live in peace and freedom,” he stated in the resolution.
A former marine who served in the Vietnam War, Balcer feels a personal connection to those serving in the armed forces. He has championed veterans' issues throughout his aldermanic career.
"I think it’s important we honor those who are fighting the war on terror, including those from our state,” Balcer said. “We’ve had 144 killed from Illinois and 1,000 wounded. We also want to remember their families and loved ones.”
One such family is the Fraziers. Jim Frazier’s son Jacob died while fighting in Afghanistan in 2003. Jacob Frazier was an Air Force staff sergeant who was serving on the ground as a tactical air controller within an army unit. He was the first killed in action from the war on terror to be buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL, just south of Joliet. He was 24 years old when he was killed and was awarded the Illinois Medal of Valor, the highest medal awarded by this state.
Jim Frazier is pleased with the City’s efforts to honor and represent the men and women who fight for this country.
“I can’t say enough about Ald. Balcer’s proposal,” said Frazier. “We need to keep remembering what the cost is—it’s not in dollars, it’s people like Jacob Lee Frazier.”
Balcer hopes to settle on a location for the memorial by Memorial Day or Flag Day of this year. He has appointed a Chicago police officer, Dave Maguire, as chairman of the memorial committee. Maguire, a major in the army reserves who served on active duty in Iraq, originated the idea for the memorial.
