Read about these local veterans

Harold Thomas PHILO — Harold Thomas saw a kamikaze plane up close as it rammed into … By Paul Wood Hazel Peterson PAXTON — Talking with one tough Marine, it’s impressive that Hazel Pet … By Paul Wood Robert Wildemuth SAVOY — Robert Wildemuth crossed a lot of rivers during World War II, … By Paul Wood Curtis Heck ARMSTRONG — Curtis Heck was in Vietnam in the Army’s 101st Airborne, a … By Paul Wood Royal P. Mortenson CHAMPAIGN — Col. Royal P. Mortenson served around the world during a 3 … By Paul Wood Omer Benn CHAMPAIGN — Omer Benn learned how to fly Navy planes during World War … By Paul Wood Frances Schneider CHAMPAIGN — Not everybody who helps the U.S. cause in war wears a unif … By Paul Wood Mariya Vandivort CHAMPAIGN — Whether in Illinois or Nicaragua, Mariya Vandivort was the … By Paul Wood Ray Heckler URBANA — With a shell-shocked soldier for a companion, Ray Heckler dro … By Paul Wood Jim Kelly URBANA — When Jim Kelly was in the Marines, he met John Wayne in a bar … By Paul Wood Stephen Ostwinkle URBANA — The Army sent Sgt. First Class Stephen Ostwinkle to Bosnia in … By Paul Wood Carl Casella CHAMPAIGN — Hit by a series of kamikaze planes and bombs on one day, t … By Paul Wood