Read about these local veterans

Tom Gordon URBANA — Tom Gordon didn’t care to join the Army, because he’d have to … By Paul Wood Bill Kirby TOLONO — Bill Kirby picked up downed aviators from the sea during Worl … By Paul Wood Hubert Neal MILFORD — Staff Sgt. Hubert Neal served and was injured in North Afric … By Paul Wood Ron Deckard WHITE HEATH — In two decades in the Marines, including Okinawa and Des … By Paul Wood Ray Wolst RANTOUL — Vietnam era veteran Ray Wolst is on Tuesday’s honor flight. … By Paul Wood Audry Morse DANVILLE — Audry Morse grew up a “military brat” — the daughter of a n … By Tracy Crane Gerald Brighton URBANA — Maj. Gerald Brighton served nearly all of World War II in the … By Paul Wood Dale Farris CHAMPAIGN — Dale Farris was on a lucky streak in World War II, managin … By Paul Wood Omer Benn CHAMPAIGN — Omer Benn learned how to fly Navy planes during World War … By Paul Wood Ray Heckler URBANA — With a shell-shocked soldier for a companion, Ray Heckler dro … By Paul Wood Mattie Gray CHAMPAIGN — Mattie Gray is one of five in her family to serve over the … By Paul Wood Jerry Wiese RANTOUL — Jerry Wiese lost eight friends and comrades in his platoon o … By Paul Wood