 To the editor:The Logan
County Veterans Assistance Commission is asking the most veteran
friendly county in the State to support the Courthouse referendum.
Four years ago you overwhelmingly approved a levy that allowed the
VAC to truly be able to serve our County veterans. In that time we
have not made any sort of endorsements, however we felt this was a
matter that we wanted to share our view about the historical value
of our Courthouse.
We are not going to cover the obvious structural issues that have
been presented in numerous group meetings by the County Board
members and the Structural Architect. There is no doubt that our
historic Courthouse needs immediate and long term repairs and
upgrades.
The VAC Commission view is that a very important issue that seems to
be overlooked is that the Courthouse is not only where the
courtrooms and County officials offices are located but where the
'Walls of Honor' exist.
Those are the numerous plaques bearing the names of over 6,000 men
and women from Logan County who have served in the military over the
past 244 years.
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Long before Illinois became a State, families
began settling here that had served under the command of General
Washington during the Revolutionary War. Last week the VAC and
County Board added the newest plaque to a standing room only
audience honoring our County heroes that have served over the past
30 years in the War on Terrorism. This plaque is unique in that more
names will be continually added upon completion of service of each
of our county's newest heroes.
We cannot do enough to honor our veterans that have gone before us,
are with us now and those who will follow. To preserve the
Courthouse is a means to provide a place of honor but it will also
serve as an educational opportunity for our current and future
generations to learn that freedom is not free.
President Reagan stated 40 years ago, we are always one generation
away from losing our freedom. The cost to vote in support of the
Courthouse Referendum for all of us will be minimal, because all
those people who are listed on the 'Walls of Honor' already paid the
price for us, our freedom.
Logan County Veterans Commission
[Posted
March 12,
2020]
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