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Chicago Tribune
03-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Fox Valley Marines growing a proud legacy
When the Fox Valley Marines walk by you and your family and friends at Friday's Fourth of July parade in downtown Aurora, make sure to give them a special shout-out. The U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating its 250th birthday this year – reason enough to show your appreciation. However, this local Detachment 1233 of the Marine Corps League, which covers Kane and Kendall counties but extends outreach beyond those borders, deserves a special round of home-grown applause. That's especially true because about a decade ago, the detachment had lost so many members – through death or relocation – it nearly shut down. In fact, Ted Clinnin, who was senior vice commandant of the group at the time, notified Marine Corps League headquarters in Washington, D.C., about the dilemma. But when he learned all remaining funds of a shuttered detachment must go to the national organization rather than stay local, those surviving members became determined to not only stay afloat but find ways to grow. Chalk it up to a Marine's 'gung-ho attitude,' noted Clinnin, proudly noting the Fox Valley roster has gone from seven to nearly 60 since 2015, with about half those members showing up regularly at each monthly meeting at the Oswego American Legion Post. And yes, its reach is also growing. For example, the group is one of a handful of the Illinois region's 40 detachments that have formed a partnership with Scouting. According to Clinnin, in one year alone, members have presented 44 Eagle Scouts – from Hampshire to St. Charles to Aurora to Naperville to Sandwich – with its Good Citizenship Award, along with the coveted Marine's Ka-Bar combat knife that stands on a wooden eagle, hand-carved by one of its members as a way of dealing with PTSD. 'The kids love seeing us there and we have a good time,' said past Commandant Tom Bulin, who told me he's done about 215 of these presentations over the years. The local Fox Valley Marines also team up with Scouts to do service projects for veterans. Most recently, Montgomery Troop 12 put in a full day doing yard work Saturday at the Batavia home of Marine veteran Kyle Moser, who lost both his legs above the knee in 2011 during a combat mission in Afghanistan. You may remember from a previous column that Moser was having issues after a property reassessment upped the tax bill on his specially-adapted home – a gift from Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors – that disqualified him from a state tax exemption for disabled veterans. Multiple veterans groups rallied behind Moser's situation, including the Fox Valley Marines and member state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, who convinced the Batavia Township Assessor's Office to take another look at the numbers. And earlier this week a 'certificate of error' was issued, which means Moser will receive a 100% refund on the $7,000 he paid in property taxes this year, and that going forward the value of his home will not exceed the exemption cap. Helping veterans is a huge part of what this local detachment does. Members offer educational scholarships for Marine families, provide honor guards as well as 'casket watches' at funerals, and help support the Fox Valley Young Marines of Elgin, as well as the award-winning Marine Corps JROTC program at Romeoville High School. In addition, members contribute to local food pantries in Aurora, Naperville and Sugar Grove, and for a number of years the group has held its own drive-through food distribution at Phillips Park in Aurora. A huge chunk of funding comes through its Fox Valley Marine Corps League Golf Classic, an annual event that on Aug. 13 will bring 144 golfers together at Bliss Creek in Sugar Grove. 'They are amazing. It is the best outing you can go to,' insisted Shari Frieders, executive director of Between Friends Food Pantry in Sugar Grove. 'We show up with a tent, have a great time. And they make a generous donation at the end.' 'Our goal is to help,' said Clinnin, who was a college student in 1967 when he decided that rather than be drafted, he was better off enlisting in the Marines where 'they would teach me the best way to survive' and return home. 'We have a great group,' he added, pointing out that the men and women who are members of the Fox Valley Marines range in age from the mid-20s into the 80s, and includes professors, police officers, business executives, truck drivers and other professionals who can offer a wide variety of ideas and opinions. And fortunately, new blood is replacing those who die or move out of the area. Troop 12 Assistant Scout leader and Senior Vice Commandant Andrew Kajtsa, who joined the Fox Valley Marines last year 'after a pamphlet was left on my car,' told me the group is committed to getting more exposure and stepping up recruitment, particularly for the younger generation of veterans who will carry this proud legacy forward. 'Supporting local veterans means standing with those who stood with us,' noted Nelson Santos, founder and CEO of Scientel Solutions LLC, which contributes a significant dollar amount to these veterans from its own annual golf fundraiser. 'Organizations like the Fox Valley Marines exemplify this commitment, making a real, lasting impact in the lives of veterans right here in our community,' he continued. 'Their dedication reminds us that honoring service begins at home.' It all comes down to helping veterans and the community, insist longtime Fox Valley Marines members Clinnin and Bulin, who look forward to seeing you at the Independence Day Parade in Aurora on Friday morning. Show them (and all veterans, for that matter) your appreciation, not just for what they've done but for what they continue to do.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Memorial Day Commemoration at Veterans Memorial Park canceled
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Memorial Day Commemoration at Wichita's Veterans Memorial Park has been canceled due to weather. The event was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and was set to include a presentation of Colors by the McConnell AFB Honor Guard, a guest speaker, a three-volley rifle salute rendered by the Marine Corps League, and Taps. What's open for Memorial Day 2025? The service will begin at 11 a.m. at 11800 W. U.S. Highway 54. Featured speakers include Wichita Mayor Lily Wu and Colonel Cory M. Damon, Commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base. The event will also feature a flyover by the Jayhawk Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. also begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. at 701 Amidon St. The event includes special activities to celebrate Botanica's 38th birthday, a complimentary slice of birthday cake served at noon, moments of reflection in honor of Memorial Day, live music from Air Traffic Jazz on the Terrace Patio, and a showcase of its latest installation, Glass in Flight. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
May 26: Lowville Memorial Day parade and military honors
Lowville American Legion's Memorial Day parade and military honors on Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. Wrath-laying ceremony to follow the parade with military honors. Refreshments served at the Lowville American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Marine Corps League. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former Marine Daniel Penny honored for actions on New York subway: 'Service and sacrifice'
Daniel Penny, the subject of a high profile manslaughter trial, was presented on Wednesday with the Semper Fidelis achievement award by the Marine Corps League at an Iwo Jima Day event in Boston, Massachusetts. Penny was acquitted last year in the 2023 killing of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway. Prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the main manslaughter charge to avoid a hung jury, and they ultimately found Penny not guilty of the lesser charge, Fox News Digital previously reported. Daniel Penny Found Not Guilty In Subway Chokehold Trial Penny's defense attorneys, Thomas Kenniff and Steve Raiser, traveled with him to the award ceremony and were also presented with appreciation plaques, according to a statement provided to Fox News Digital by Raiser, first reported by the New York Post. The league honored Penny for "representing the Esprit De Corps of the Marines, defined by selfless service and sacrifice, when he risked his life by defending the people on that NYC train," Raiser wrote in the statement. Read On The Fox News App His lawyers, in turn, "defended Danny from a prosecution that never should have been sought," according to the statement. Jordan Neely's Dad Files Lawsuit Against Daniel Penny Outside of the State House, Brig. General Enoch "Woody" Woodhouse, one of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, took Penny's hand, looked him in the eye and said, "I'm proud of you, son," according to Kenniff. "That is a moment I don't think any of us will forget," Kenniff said. The Marine Corps League's John M. MacGillivray said the award goes to "worthy and inspirational recipients." "We believe that Daniel Penny and attorneys Raiser and Kenniff deserve such recognition and hope that they will consent to accept these awards," according to MacGillivray. "We were honored and humbled to be in the same room being honored alongside many veterans of prior wars, including an Iwo Jima veteran and a retired general who served as one of the Tuskegee Airmen," Raiser wrote. The three accepted the awards, and were photographed together following the Massachusetts State House ceremony. Organizers said this year's event, which recently commemorated the 80th anniversary of the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, may be the last due to the dwindling number of Marine survivors still living. The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in American history, claiming 7,000 lives and leaving 20,000 Marines wounded. Daniel Penny Returns To Court For Closing Arguments In Subway Chokehold Trial More Medals of Honor were awarded for heroism in Iwo Jima, at a total of 27, than in any other battle, according to MacGillivray. The win pushed the Allies ahead in their mission to end World War II. "This may well be the last time that we conduct this ceremony," he wrote. "Therefore, we believe that the participation of Daniel Penny and lawyers Raiser and Kenniff will help to make this ceremony a success." Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this article source: Former Marine Daniel Penny honored for actions on New York subway: 'Service and sacrifice'
Boston Globe
20-02-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Boston commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima
Cappuccio was one of three World War II veterans who joined dozens of civilians gathered at the State House to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ferocious battle that started on Feb. 19, 1945. The Marine Corps League, a veteran service group, organized the event that has been held in the State House every Feb. 19 for the past 25 years. Wednesday's commemoration was the last one the Marine Corps League plans to organize, a decision made after last year's event became the first-ever without any veterans from the Battle of Iwo Jima in attendance. Advertisement However, much to the surprise of lead organizer John MacGillivray, midway through Wednesday's event, he was tapped on the shoulder and informed that there was, in fact, a veteran from the Battle of Iwo Jima in the crowd. Soon after, Cappuccio, was told to stand, ushered to the podium, and asked to deliver an impromptu speech as the room burst into a standing ovation. 'I'll be 100 years old in two months, and all these guys here, all these veterans — believe me, they're just as good as I am,' said Cappuccio. 'If you want to get to my age, you've got to keep moving. That's what I do. I've traveled the world over, and I love it... I hope you guys can all do what I do with my life and really enjoy it.' Marine Corporal Abdulnasir Morris stood at attention along with other members of the US Marine Color Guard at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima celebration. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff On Feb. 19, 1945, US Marines landed on the shores of Iwo Jima under a hail of Japanese gunfire, marking the start of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theater in World War II. Over the next 36 days, nearly 7,000 Americans lost their lives before the hard-fought battle concluded — an event immortalized by the iconic photograph of Marines raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Two other World War II veterans were also present at the ceremony, Leo Carroll, 100, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, and Enoch Woodhouse II, 98, a veteran of the Tuskegee Airmen — the famed all-Black Army Air Forces unit that broke racial barriers while escorting Allied bombers in combat over Europe. Advertisement 'They call us the Greatest Generation because everyone, no matter what their ethnicity, had their high school diploma in hand and went to one of two places — Boston Fargo for the Marines or Navy, or the Fuller Cadillac Building for the Army,' said Woodhouse, who grew up in Lower Roxbury's Lenox Street Projects. Also in attendance was General Christopher J. Mahoney, assistant commandant of the US Marine Corps and a South Weymouth native. During his speech, Mahoney noted that 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for the Battle of Iwo Jima — the most for any single battle in US military history — three of which went to Marines from Massachusetts. 'Those Marines and Sailors, including the three I just mentioned, didn't seek recognition. They did it because it was their duty. They did it for each other. At that moment, they were part of something bigger than themselves,' said Mahoney. The Marine Corps League also presented awards. Hank Naughton, a former Massachusetts state representative and a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, received a Semper Fidelis Public Servant Award. Paul Wahlberg, partial owner of the restaurant Wahlburgers, received a Gung Ho Community Service Award on behalf of the Wahlberg family. Peter Rice, president and CEO of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, received a Gung Ho Spirit Award. A Semper Fidelis Achievement Award went to Daniel Penny and his two lawyers, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser. Kenniff and Raiser helped Penny secure an acquittal last December on second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges, following a May 2023 incident on the New York City subway in which Penny placed Jordan Neely — a homeless Black man who had been threatening passengers — in a chokehold for several minutes, resulting in Neely's death. Advertisement The 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima celebrated at the Massachusetts State House. L-R The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps., General Christopher J. Mahoney, the second highest ranking member of the entire Marines was present along Daniel Penny, the man who controversially chocked out Jordan Neely on the NYC subway, who got him acquitted. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff ) SECTION: METRO David L. Ryan/Globe Staff 'There has been pushback from a few people,' said MacGillivray, defending his decision to honor Penny, whose actions sparked nationwide protests, with critics framing Neely's death as a racially motivated killing. 'But from my point of view, and the view of many others, what he did was defend people who couldn't defend themselves.' " Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
