McHenry County News FRE
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Volume 7 Issue 23
JUNE 1, 2017
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Veteran displays in Woodstock educate youth about Memorial Day By Anne Eickstadt REPORTER
“I am working on a project with Vietnam Veteran Butch Borchardt (a.k.a. our local “Veteran at Large”) to connect local businesses with area veterans and their families for a display of memorabilia in their honor,” said Krista Coltrin, Woodstock Economic Development Coordinator. “A little over a year ago, Butch showed up in my office, wanting to know if there were any businesses that would display veterans’ uniforms. He wished to exhibit the uniforms of both living and deceased veterans after a young man had asked him “what is Memorial Day?” He said that this was previously a custom here in Woodstock and he wished to continue the tradition with a new generation. “As you can imagine, our business community was all too happy to accept the invitation. As word spread, more families came forward with uniforms and more businesses came forward to request an exhibit. “This year, we have 18 businesses and public entities participating with exhibit space; most windows will house multiple uniforms and memorabilia from more than 40 veterans across all branches of the military from WWII through present. Sadly, some families do not keep uniforms from deceased veterans and give them away; there will be at least one of those uniforms on display also. “As with all veterans, Butch is reluctant to accept a “thank you” for his dedication to the project, although he works tirelessly to honor the memory of veterans and to assist active duty military personnel throughout the year. “We went from 24 or 26 veterans’ uniforms last year to over 40 this year,” Butch Borchardt said. “We have some that are father/son displays and even a father/daughter display. We also went from 13 businesses dis-
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO NcHenry County News
Vietnam Veteran Butch Borchardt (pictured at right) has made it his mission to make sure that no veterans are forgotten this memorial day. This display of his memorabilia was coordinated with Pam Moorhouse at the Woodstock Public Library, and is one of more than 40 veterans from WWII through present that are remembered at 18 businesses throughout Woodstock until June 10.
playing uniforms last year to over 18 sites this year. It’s so incredible. “People are stopping at the displays and explaining the uniforms to their kids,” he continued. “Read Between the Lynes has never stopped celebrating Memorial Day. Their
window display includes a POW/ MIA table, otherwise known as a Missing Man or Fallen Comrade Table, in memory of the fallen, missing, or imprisoned. “I wish I could find the words to explain how much this means. I do
it to remember the ones who didn’t come back. Someone took my place. I just want people to understand what Memorial Day is all about. The support in the community is incredible.” The veterans of the Woodstock VFW, and veterans’ families and
friends have all come together with local business and organizations to make this Memorial Day display possible. The uniforms will remain on display until June 10. A list of display sites can be found online at www.realwoodstock.com.
Caring for cops
The Crystal Lake Police Department got a visit from Crystal Lake Central High School students last Tuesday. They made and brought care packages for all the officers. SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News