Read about these local veterans

Chet Bleich For the confusion of war, it’s hard to top the Battle of the Bulge, wh … By Paul Wood Richard Schlecht DANVILLE — Today is Richard Schlecht’s 100th birthday. You wouldn’t gu … By Paul Wood Dick Oliver CHAMPAIGN — From the Korean War to the Cold War to Vietnam, Dick Olive … By Paul Wood Jerry Wiese RANTOUL — Jerry Wiese lost eight friends and comrades in his platoon o … By Paul Wood Cheryl Walker URBANA — Newly elected Cheryl Walker is the first female commander of … By Paul Wood Alexander Shay CHAMPAIGN — Born near the end of World War I, Alexander Shay risked de … By Paul Wood Gerald Brighton URBANA — Maj. Gerald Brighton served nearly all of World War II in the … By Paul Wood Richard Cogdal URBANA — Besides winning medals for serving at sea off Iwo Jima and Ok … By Paul Wood Bill Kirby TOLONO — Bill Kirby picked up downed aviators from the sea during Worl … By Paul Wood Thomas Labney SAVOY — From freezing in Alaska to boiling just above the engine room … By Paul Wood Patrick J. Twigg CHAMPAIGN — Retired Staff Sgt. Patrick J. Twigg served overseas in Ope … By Paul Wood Bill Avery Bill Avery, who enlisted in the Army Air Forces in World War II, compl … By Paul Wood