CENTENARIAN PROCLAMATION In Honor of Edward H. Campbell, Sr.
WHEREAS, Edward H. Campbell, Sr., is one highly favored and blessed of God, born December 22,1920, being ushered into a most honorable and distinguished preordained class of living to be a centenarian, is celebrated this December 22, 2020 amongst family, loved ones, friends, neighbors and community, receiving a righteously due honor for his sacred gift of longevity and legacy; and
WHEREAS, News of Mr. Campbell, Sr.'s momentous lifespan was brought to the attention of 34th Ward Alderman Carrie M. Austin, to be shared with the Chicago City Council at its next regular meeting of Wednesday, December 16th by his neighbor Patrick Poe; and
WHEREAS, Edward Sr. was married to his wife Mae Belle for 75 years prior to her passing in 2018, fruitful in their sacred union consecrated with six children, cherished with 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and
WHEREAS, This gentle giant served his country and countrymen two years as an Illinois National Guard and four years in the United States Army, rose in rank to Technical Sergeant and was tasked with mentoring junior enlisted personnel. Edward Campbell joined the 8th Infantry Illinois National Guard in 1939, became a Member of Headquarters Company ofthe First Battalion assigned to the Communication Section. He was promoted to Company Clerk, served under the command of Lieutenant George W. Rose a/k/a "Little Hitler." Prior to his induction into Federal Service, the unit's name was changed to the 184th Field Artillery on January 4, 1941, than sent to Fort Custer, Michigan—a newly built campsite. The company worked maintaining the grounds in addition to daily trainings, and acutely sensed God's covering over them; and
WHEREAS, Campbell's unit was comprised of exceedingly qualified Black Officers, who under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Derrick were admonished use of profanity, as the battalion was responsible for carrying out cadre for other units. Campbell, stationed at Fort Custer almost two years before relocation of the unit to Camp Butner, North Carolina in 1943, and upon arrival their Battalion Commander Colonel Derrick assembled the troops together cautioning them that they "did not come to the south to change the south just to soldier." Shortly thereafter the soldiers began to encounter discrimination. Approximately a year and a half later the unit's name was changed to 1699 Combat Engineers and all Black officers were replaced with white officers. Six months thereafter, they were sent to European Theatre of Operation and connected to the 1st Army—they were at war. When the war was over, Campbell and fellow comrades were transferred to the 389 General Service Engineers, and then scheduled by boat to the Pacific and sent straight home resulting from threat of the infamous atom bomb; and
WHEREAS, The full tour of duty for Edward Campbell, Sr. was from 1939 to 1945: 2 years National Guard, 4 months State Service and 6 months at war. Upon his returning
home, he was employed over 39 years at the United States Post Office. Recognized as an American war veteran, Edward was gifted to take the 1-day all-expense paid Honor Flight Chicago trip to Washington, D.C. to sightsee memorials built in honor of senior war veterans, and in Campbell's own words, "it was very good"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Edward Campbell, Sr. proudly served the Maple Park Homeowner Association for over 30 years, is a 50-year Masonic Brother of Wisdom Lodge #102 and was Church Deacon at Lilydale Missionary Baptist Church for 48 years, his is one ofthe first families to live in the neighborhood, still residing at 11617 South Loomis present day, and the 34th Ward is sincerely humbled to claim this resilient, heroic and selfless centenarian as one of our City's very own; and
WHEREAS, severally and collectively, enjoined with the family of Edward H. Campbell, Sr., may we lovingly wish him a holy and zealous celebration on his 100th birthday and fondly commemorate this proclaiming of his exceptional life and service. May we hope his day be filled with abundance of love, joy, happiness and all things fine, to the glory of God; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this 16th day of December, 2020, do decree the 22nd of December in the Year 2020 as "Edward Campbell, Sr. - Great American Veteran Centenarian Day," and hereby extend our most heartfelt prayers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this proclamation be prepared and presented to the family of Edward H. Campbell, Sr. as a sign of our honor and respect.
Carrie M. Austin Alderman, 34th Ward
Respectfully submitted,