Thursday, November 10, 2011

Veterans Day Program At McHenry County College

McHenry County College will host a Veterans Day Recognition program beginning with patriotic music by MCC Concert Band and Chorus at 9 a.m. tomorrow, November 11 in the Gym/Multi-Purpose Room in Building A at the College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

Speakers will include World War II veteran Vaughn Heidenreich, of Woodstock and Sharon Slover, director of Education and Careers with the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM).

 Slover won an essay contest that earned her a spot to ride on a motorcycle to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam War Memorial.

Heidenreich enlisted in the Air Force in November, 1942. He was a lead bombardier in the war, flying 22 combat missions. In 1945, he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant and is a life member of the 8th Air Force, the 457th Bomb Group, and the VFW.

After WWII, he was employed at Jewel Home Shopping Service in Barrington. While working, he also attended Lake Forest College of Industrial Management.  He retired after 44 years with the company as director of transportation and fleet operations. His post-retirement career included 21 years of teaching driver safety programs.

Slover’s poignant essay earned her the second spot (a place usually empty—reserved for fallen soldiers) on a ride with the National Veterans Awareness Organization. On the back of the 2003 Harley-Davidson touring anniversary edition motorcycle, Slover rode to Washington, D.C., to pay respects to soldiers at the Vietnam War Memorial. She will share her profound experiences as a result of this journey.

The Veterans Day ceremony will also include a posting of the colors by the Combined Service Color Guard and bagpipe music.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided following the program. For more information, contact MCC Veterans Day Committee at (815) 479-7635.

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