York High School students join Elmhurst veterans in celebrating over 80 years of collective service
Tuesday, 15 York High School students visited the Roosevelt at Salt Creek, a retirement community in southern Elmhurst, to pay tribute to 26 veterans with a pinning ceremony.
The veterans, most of whom reside at the Roosevelt, recounted their experiences serving in America’s armed forces during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Commander John Scudder, post leader of the Elmhurst chapter of the American Legion, spoke at the ceremony expressing his gratitude toward the service of his fellow veterans and their impact on American society.
“It’s the veteran that provides the framework for the freedom we enjoy,” Scudder said. “Duty, honor, country, integrity, these are important, and this is what we’ve done.”
Scudder served 30 years in the Army’s public affairs office and traveled all over the world during that time.
“I just thank God everyday, when I got back, that I live in the U.S.,” Scudder said in an interview with the Doings.
Justin Riskus, a York High School history teacher, helped organize the day’s events, bringing in 15 students to get to know and personally give pins to the veterans.
Riskus is responsible for starting the Military History elective at York High School about 13 years ago.
“I try to bring in as many local veterans as I can, I usually have four to six veterans come in and speak to my students,” Riskus said. “This is the first time traveling out to a place in the community to meet veterans.”
Adolph Olivi, 93, a Korean Veteran who served in the Marine Corp between 1951-53, did not experience combat during the conflict due to being an only child.
“They said that if we were the only child they wouldn’t send us into battle,” Olivi said. “After the five Sullivan brothers got killed in World War II, I guess the government said ‘never again.’”
The Roosevelt, which is undergoing major renovations, is at less than half capacity, servicing roughly 150 residents.
Olivi and his wife have lived at the Roosevelt since 2016 and expressed how grateful he is for their services but also concern over the amount of staff. “They have a lot of good help, but we need more,” Olivi said.
Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin also attended the ceremony taking the podium to thank the veterans for their service and gin up attendance for Veterans Day Celebrations in town.
“The sacrifices they have made and the courage they have shown shape our country and protect the tremendous freedom that we all enjoy,” Levin said.
