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 Bernard Puglisi CHAMPAIGN — Bernard Puglisi could easily have avoided serving as a Mar … By Paul Wood The Schweighart brothers PESOTUM — Patriotic fever runs high here, and after the Pearl Harbor a … By Paul Wood Melvin Parker CHAMPAIGN — Melvin Parker joined the Army right after World War II, wh … By Paul Wood Joe Rank URBANA — As gunnery officer on a Navy destroyer during the Vietnam War … By Paul Wood Patrick J. Twigg CHAMPAIGN — Retired Staff Sgt. Patrick J. Twigg served overseas in Ope … By Paul Wood Jerry Wiese RANTOUL — Jerry Wiese lost eight friends and comrades in his platoon o … By Paul Wood Richard Schlecht DANVILLE — Today is Richard Schlecht’s 100th birthday. You wouldn’t gu … By Paul Wood Dale Sullivan OGDEN — Dale Sullivan never found out why the Japanese lit up his batt … By Paul Wood Ronnie Turner-Winston URBANA — Ronnie Turner-Winston considered her role as a chapel managem … By Paul Wood Walter McMahon CHAMPAIGN — First Lt. Walter McMahon took part in cold, bloody battles … By Paul Wood Hazel Peterson PAXTON — Talking with one tough Marine, it’s impressive that Hazel Pet … By Paul Wood