Remembering The True Meaning Of Memorial Day

Grayslake is full of veterans who have served our country to keep us safe, affording us the luxury of freedom. As we celebrate Memorial Day today, residents have the chance to give back and say thank you.

During the weekend, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion hosted a “Poppy Drive.” Donations were collected at Ace Hardware, food store and throughout the intersections in the downtown Grayslake area. Proceeds will benefit the Hospitalized Veterans and various Veterans Assistance Programs.

Retired Army Colonel Paul Ahern of Grayslake actively participates in local veterans events, like the Poppy Drive and the Memorial Day Parade. Ahern was on active duty from 1980-1992, and then served in the Army Reserve from 1992-2010. That time included a tour in Iraq from 2004-2005.

He shared one of his first memories from his time in the Army in June 1980. Ahern  was then a Lieutenant doing initial training at Fort Benning, Georgia. For one month during proficiency training, he shot all types of weapons, from pistols to machine guns to anti-tank weapons including dragon anti-tank missiles.

He remembered the event fondly, and recalled turning to a friend and saying, “Just think… they pay us to do this!”

When Ahern served in Bagdad, he made trips to neighboring countries of Iraq and had tea in Damascus, Syria. More than anything else, he recalled serving with many fine fellow soldiers who made the trials of service life more bearable and the victories and successes more sweet.

Ahern has been married nearly 31 years to his wife Ursula, and they have four children. Their oldest son Captain David Ahern, 28, is in the United States Army and has been serving in Afghanistan since July 2010. He is expected to return home next month. David has been in the Army for six years, since 2005, and is a combat Company Commander bringing back his unit from the combat zone in a matter of weeks.

Paul and Ursula Ahern also have sons Matthew, 26, and Christopher, 24, and a daughter Sarah, 17. Sarah is part of the National Honor Society at Grayslake Central High School. When she mentioned the Poppy Drive to the NHS sponsor, Heather O’Conner, the teacher put out a notice at school for volunteers. Three other students, in addition to Sarah, were assigned to various posts around Grayslake this weekend to collect donations and hand out poppies.

The strong volunteer spirit was something Paul Ahern said he liked most about living in Grayslake, where “…in addition to the fine schools, is that both kids and adults seem genuinely willing to volunteer in many capacities, and with open hearts.”

Ahern commutes downtown Chicago each weekday via Metra for his job as a Purchasing Manager for the Rail Road Retirement Board, a federal agency.      

Ahern encouraged all Grayslake residents to attend the Memorial Day services on Monday, May 30. The festivities start with a parade at 9:30 a.m. at Grayslake Central High School, and end at Memorial Park, near Junior and Seymour streets in the historic area of Grayslake homes.

At Memorial Park, fallen veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War will be honored. Fortunately, no Grayslake sons or daughters were lost in Desert Storm.

Two of Grayslake’s recently fallen sons will be remembered and honored on Monday at Memorial Park at approximately 10:15 a.m. Those men are Marine Corp. Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher who died in Iraq in 2005; and U.S. Army Specialist Joseph W. Dimock II who died in Afghanistan in 2010.

Both men’s names have been added to the monument which will be re-dedicated on this Memorial Day, 2011.