November 11, 2018

Chicago Veterans Honored at City Hall, with help from Sen. Duckworth


Source: WBBM Newsroom

 

Chicago honored veterans in a ceremony at City Hall Sunday, on the 100th anniversary of the unofficial end of World War One. 

Brigadier General Mark C Jackson said the Illinois National Guard has been activated several times over the years to help in not only that war, but wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan, as well as to aid with flooding at home in 1993.

US Sen.Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, said she doesn't think the country is that much better at taking care of its veterans than it did a century ago. 

She said many veterans aren't able to get the services they deserve.

Duckworth said she has a new appreciation for Veterans Day since she nearly died the day after the holiday 14 years ago. She lost both legs on November 12th, 2004 when an RPG hit the helicopter she was piloting in Iraq.

The Democrat said she's alive because of the courage of her crew members who didn't give up on her even though they initially thought she was dead.

Duckworth and Jackson spoke to an audience of alderman and veterans - including one from World War Two, who received a standing ovation.


By:  Nancy Harty