In a joint effort from the City of DeKalb and the DeKalb American Legion Post 66, the City has created “Honorary Veterans Way” to acknowledge the many DeKalb area veterans that have served in the military. This ‘Honorary’ street destination will be located on Locust Street from First Street to Fourth Street. This is part of a continuing effort to promote respect and honor the local City of DeKalb veterans, current military members, and their families.
Members of the DeKalb American Legion Honor Guard and DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith dedicated the new signage for the “Honorary Veterans Way” on Friday, the 73rd Birthday of the US Air Force creation. This is part of several special events leading up to November 11, the annual Veteran’s Day celebration.
The entrance to Locust Street off First Street has added a new addition acknowledging veterans. An American Flag Pole and five poles honoring the five service branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force) have been placed to be part of the Veteran projects. These poles and flags were donated and erected by the John Pappas Family. “We have great respect those that have served in the military,” commented John Pappas.
The DeKalb American Legion would like to thank City Manager Bill Nicklas and DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith for their ongoing support of the various veteran projects. “We cannot thank Bill (Nicklas) and Jerry (Smith) enough for stepping up and being supportive of our veterans”, commented DeKalb American Legion Commander Daniel Gallagher.
“We are so proud of the efforts of the DeKalb American Legion and Veteran organizer Michael Embrey for what they have done for our community”, said Mayor Jerry Smith. “The various veteran projects truly make the City of DeKalb the most ‘veteran-friendly city‘ in northern Illinois.”
According to project chair Michael Embrey, 17 additional “DeKalb Hometown Hero” banners were placed on Locust Street, and on 2nd and 3rd Streets in downtown DeKalb on September 11 (9/11), making a total of 60 banners. A special thank you goes out to Public Works Director Andy Raih and members of the DeKalb Public Works team for placing the Banners and new “Honorary Veterans Way” signs.
The new “DeKalb Hometown Hero” banners include:
- Cody O’Donnell, US Marine Corps
- James B Hollifield, US Army
- Gerald R Listy, US Army
- Dewayne Brown, US Army
- Sammie E Harley, US Marine Corps
- Frank W Moore, US Army Air Corps
- Charles W Scott, US Navy
- Keith W Rebhorn, US Army
- Thomas L Wicker, US Navy
- John T Wicker, US Navy
- Kristen M Martinez, US Air Force
- Levi Hintzsche, US Air Force
- James F Pace, US Army
- Thomas M Riley, US Army
- John W Cliffe, US Army
- Jerry B Evans, US Army
- Dean Jerde, US Army
The DeKalb American Legion Honor Guard, Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion are planning a special event for Veteran’s Day, November 11. Details will be released at a later date.
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