The village and the Morton American Legion are working together to bring recognition to local service men and women in the armed forces by placing banners with their names along West Courtland Avenue. The idea came about when Legion adjutant Larry Stimeling and his wife noticed similar banners in Charleston, a town of about 20,000 people located in eastern Illinois.
Stimeling has worked on this project for more than a year now, seeking names of the service men and women from Morton who are currently deployed. It is a project he sees as a small token of appreciation to those who currently serve this nation.
“We can’t forget these kids,” the Vietnam War veteran said. “The current war effort is detached from the local community.”
That could not be any closer to the truth. In Morton, a village with an aging population, we often find ourselves remembering past wars rather than thinking of current ones. The reality is, all service men and women, whether they are veterans or not, deserve the same amount of recognition for making sacrifices for our country.
The Morton American Legion, along with the Morton Veterans of Foreign Wars, have long existed in this community. And, in the past, membership has been consistent. But, more recently, it has dropped. For reasons unknown, veterans of current wars are not enrolling in their local veterans affairs organizations.
Perhaps this current effort between the village and the Legion will work, not only to reverse a dwindling membership, but increase Mortonites’ recognition of those currently serving.
Veterans affairs organizations are far too important to small communities like Morton. They serve as a voice for those who sacrifice their lives for this nation. They serve as a reminder to many of us who often think more about ourselves than others. More importantly, the Morton American Legion and the Morton VFW offer veterans a place to connect with fellow service members.
For those with a family member currently serving in the armed forces, keep local veterans affairs organizations in mind. For those without, offer a helping hand to these organizations.
The Legion deserves a lot of credit for its effort to bring recognition to those currently serving. Displaying banners along a street is much more than a token of appreciation — it is a reminder to those who often take such sacrifices for granted.
