RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Thirteen veterans will be recognized at special ceremony to be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 sponsored by Edward J. Wehmer, Chairman and Founder of Wintrust; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Robert Speicher served his country in the global war on terrorism as a member of the United States Navy in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2007. Robert Speicher is the recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other decorations. He now works as a Firefighter and Paramedic for the Village of Bloomingdale; and
WHEREAS, Paul Vallas Jr. served his country in the global war on terrorism in Afghanistan as a member of the United States Navy. He served as a highly trained medic assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Division. He was deployed to Helmand Province and saw combat in Kajaki, Must Qala, Nowzad and Shir Ghazid. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with valor for saving the lives of two Afghani police officers who were wounded by IED's and gunfire. He now served as a police officer in Wheeling; and
WHEREAS, Jaime Martinez served his country as a member of the United States Army in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, Operation Desert Shield in Iraq and fought in the global war against terrorism in Afghanistan. He now works as an attorney; and
WHEREAS, Robert L. Burns served his country in the United States Army as a B-24 radio gunner and fought in both World War II and the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Ira E. Graham served his country in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 as a Quarter Master 3rd Class in the Pacific Theater of Operations, including the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, Theodore Hudson served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He fought in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, a brutal 17-day battle in freezing weather. He is the father of ten children; and
WHEREAS, George Nicholas served his country as a member of the United States navy during World War II. He now lives in Elmhurst and is the father of six children; and
WHEREAS, The late Mark M. Nahabedian passed away in in May of 2017. He served during World War II as a Private First Class in the United States Army. A recipient of the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Chevalier Legion d'honneur for his part in the liberation of France. He was wounded on August 29,1944 in Mortain, France; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Paspalas served his country as a member of the United States Marine Air Corps during World War II. He flew 54 missions and served in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations. He is a graduate of Yale University; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Regnier enlisted in the United States navy in January of 1945 as a member of the "Waves." She was stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Yard where she processed sailors coming on or off ships, including those with severe injuries. Following the war, she remained on active duty, serving during weekends in the reserves at the Great lakes naval Air Station in Glenview until September 13,1957. She is a recipient of the American Theater and Victory medals; and
WHEREAS, John Zeigler served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Veronica Sebastian Potter served her country as a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Harold H. Winer served his country as an infantryman in the 7th Division in Okinawa called the "Hour Glass Division." The Division prepared for what they thought would be the imminent invasion of Japan. Following the use of the atomic bomb, Harold H. Winer was stationed in Seoul, Korea where he served as a military police officer. He is a member of the legal community and still works as an attorney; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this eighth day of November, 2017 do hereby express our sincere appreciation to all of the honorees for their military service on behalf of their country; and