Local Man Plays Taps Daily At Sunset To Recognize Veterans
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Jim Heisler, the longtime owner of Heisler's Bootery in downtown Crystal Lake, has been playing taps every night at sunset since Memorial Day as a way to honor fellow veterans in the area. And he's performed rain or shine every day.
"He was afraid that the neighbors would be offended, too much noise or something like that," his wife, Rebecca Heisler, told ABC 7 Chicago.
But his neighbors have loved it. Richard Kerman, a veteran as well, and his wife, Beverly, have walked over almost every day to check out the tribute, according to ABC 7.
"It just makes the day better," Beverly told KMOV4. "Especially with COVID and the election, we always knew we would have this moment of peace for the day."
Heisler plans to perform through sunset on Veteran's Day.
Other Veterans Recognized
Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is held yearly on Nov. 11. It honors all American veterans and military. Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was created at the end of World War I to recognize those who fought in “the war to end all wars,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Its origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly after the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.
With some ceremonies, parades and presentations either canceled or altered in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active military members.
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Applebee’s, Bob Evans and Chili’s Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.
Other places, such as Golden Corral and Eat'n Park, have offers extended throughout November.
In addition, a handful of Patch.com readers responded to our callout in the past week requesting info on local veterans who deserved recognition. Thanks to those who responded; here are some of those veterans:
Marianne McDermott, a Grayslake Patch reader, is giving a shout out to her father, Bob Higgins, "for serving our great nation." Higgins, a long-time Grayslake resident, served in the U.S. Army in the 1960s and was, at one point, stationed in France as a decoder.
"The service of our fine men and women in uniform merit our gratitude and praise for keeping our great nation safe," McDermott said. "We love you, Dad, and thank you for your brave service."
Jan C. of Crystal Lake shared the following photo of Sam Camden who she says spent 21 years in the Air Force and served in Vietnam. He died in 2019.
Amos Cushman, a Libertyville Patch reader, says his father, Aaron Cushman was a pilot in the air force and a World War II and Korean War veteran, he says. Currently, Aaron Cushman lives in Highland Park and is 96 years old. Amos Cushman says his dad is "his hero."
Debbie Mosenson, a Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch reader, says her husband Jerry Mosenson served in the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War. In July 2019, he got to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C., "which is an experience he will never forget."
"We welcomed him home at Midway airport at the end of his trip," she said.
Representatives from Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County had this to say about U.S. Army veteran Steve Brain: "We at Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County are so proud of our homebuying partner family; Army Veteran Steve and his wife Jeanne and mother Cecilia. Steve and Jeanne will have committed over 1000 sweat equity hours after this Saturday. (Over double the requirement!) He volunteers at our McHenry ReStore and on his home build site every Saturday. Truly a dedicated partner family and proud veteran and parents of an active duty son. We are so close to finishing their new home in Harvard and couldn't be more proud to be working with them!"
Do you know a local veteran that deserves to be recognized on Veterans Day? Share with readers by commenting below.
This article originally appeared on the Crystal Lake-Cary Patch
