Nine military veterans who served as far back as World War II were honored at the Daughters of the American Revolution Brick Dedication ceremony on Flag Day at VFW Post 2257 in Galesburg.
The local DAR Rebecca Parke Chapter has now recognized 25 local veterans with commemorative bricks at the Galesburg VFW, the Lincoln Park Veterans Memorial and the Aledo Veterans Memorial.
The nine veterans honored with bricks at the June 14 ceremony were Duane Pratt Jr., Chuck Boydstun, Ken Walters, Barry Daniel, Shawn Keith, Dwight White, Leland Chandler, Leonard Spong and Richard Webber. The 100-year-old Chandler served in World War II.
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Linda Howarter, DAR Rebecca Parke Chapter Service for Veterans Chairman, is tasked with finding local veterans to honor with the bricks.
“I love to find veterans to honor,” Howarter said. “We wouldn’t be doing the things we all do if it weren’t for veterans.
“A lot of veterans wear hats, and whenever I see one, I first thank them for their service. That usually opens up a conversation, and it goes from there.”
Eight more veterans will be honored at another brick dedication ceremony later this year, according to Howarter.
The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington D.C., is a nonprofit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s further through better education for children.
The Rebecca Park Chapter was organized Jan. 23, 1901, and received its charter June 5, 1901.
