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Carol and I went to the Village Town Center for the meeting. They honored the fire department and police department. They started pouring in, so many in fact that some were standing in the back.
I introduced myself, and read the SSFOA pledge. Then the clerk read the proclamation, and stated it was permanent.They asked a couple of questions and then the village president came up and handed me the proclamation and shook my hand, it was very emotional time.
Our bake sale was a great success and we enjoyed it. We want to thank Kohl's for their great support and generous donation.
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NATIONAL SALUTE TO HOSPITALIZED VETERANS
I also delivered 350 letters for National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
Day. While I didn't get to see any patients, they remembered me from
delivering the Christmas packages.
They made me feel so special that I can't begin to tell you. I am attaching
pictures that I took and that were taken with the head of the Volunteer Offices at VA and his secretary Mary. Kenny is the gentleman who is head of the program there. I got a photo release so that I could post the pictures.
Once again, this was a most rewarding and emotional experience for me.
I still have 650 more letters that will be going out by UPS tomorrow or Sunday.
I couldn't have done this without the help of Carol who is also one of our letter writing members and my motivator.
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CHRISTMAS AT NORTH CHICAGO VA 2008
On December 17th after waiting out days for the roads to be good enough
to travel on them, I had someone who drove me out to North Chicago VA.
I had called in advance to let them know that I was coming and they said
that someone would meet me with a cart.
I delivered 3 big boxes. One box contained approximately 30 books, and
assorted games and 50 christmas cards made out to wounded heroes, and
100 extra christmas cards for them to use to send to their families.
The second box contained sweatshirts, about 30 bags of assorted candies,
both sugar free and regular.
The third box had 16 made up gift bags that contained soap, shampoo,
powder, lotion, deodorant, razors and shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, chapstick, qtips, combs, and out of the 16 bags there were 4 made up for women, as that was all that they told they had in the hospital right now. Those contained all of the same as above except there was also body spray and some other feminine items. Also in each bag were photo albums and a gold heart ornament to put a photo in. I also sent christmas decorations too. Each bag had an individual card and 3 extra cards also, and chewing gum, and candy.
Each box was labeled with the VAV number and I also had printed out a letter with all of the items enclosed with a value and the VAV number was on that along with my address as well as National's address. Each box also contained SSFOA brochures with my card and email address on it.
This was the first time I ever did anything like this and the joy that it brought me was something I had not experienced before. This definitely made my holiday for me.
Truly an emotional experience.
Blessings,
Sunshine
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Cook County Banner Presentation Ceremony
My day well it was okay. NO IT WAS INCREDIBLE. IT WAS AWESOME.
My friend Chandra who is from a military family, her father was a Military Chaplain,
and her brothers are both Doctors in the Army went with me. Carol is in the hospital and unfortuntely could not attend.
Well let's see. It took us almost 2 1/2 hours to get there. The traffic was unbelieveable. I was to call them before I arrived which I did and the Assistant to the President of the County was waiting outside for me. This was my first time into downtown Chicago. Chandra went to park which was about 2 blocks away and she was not feeling good at all. I went in with Steve (the assistant) and what a nice man. He introduced me to the other county officials, the press, and Richard Morbidoni who is the Superintendent, Veteran's Assistance Commission. In fact I have a banner presentation with him on May 20th. He and I have become good friend's and I think he might be able to help us even get some wounded and ill veterans and soliders to write to.
Then the Veterans started to show up. They all sat in a special area. Richard did the Welcome and the the pledge and then there was the prayer done by a Chaplain. Then there was the introduction of guests. I was the first. Then after everyone was introduced, I was the first one to speak. The words flowed from my mouth so easily you would have thought I had been doing this forever. It felt so right. Then the President spoke and then the banner presentation started. After each one there were press pictures taken. The news stations were there from at least 3 different stations. There were only 8 presentations as 4 didn't show up.
During the presentation there was one gentleman in particular who was a Vietnam Veteran. He looked at me right in my eyes and with tears in his eyes thanked me over and over again. It went straight to my heart and as I write this now, I sit here with tears in my eyes. I will never forget his eyes and what he said to me.
After that then there was group pictures and then a reception. I talked to each veteran,shook their hand gave them brochures and each a patch. I had planned on only giving one challenge coin out and that was to Richard the VA superintendant who is also a Korean Veteran. But I was so moved by that Vietnam Veterans that I pressed a coin into his hand during the reception and when he realized what I was doing he held my hand tighter and the tears began again.
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SILVER STAR BANNER DAY
ILLINOIS
Governor signed at State level
Governor signed at State level
City Level
Addison
Aledo
Barrington *
Beach Park
Bedford Park *
Belvidere *
Bolingbrook *
Bradley *
Buffalo Grove *
Burbank *
Carol Steam *
Chicago Ridge *
Collinsville *
Des Plaines *
East Moline *
East Peoria *
Elk Grove
Evanston *
Geneva *
Germantown Hills *
Glenview
Greensboro *
Harwood Heights
Hickory Hills *
Hoffman Estates *
Justice *
Lake Forest
Lake Zurich *
Lisle *
Lombard
Macomb *
McHenry *
Monee
Morton Grove *
Mount Prospect *
Naperville
Niles *
Normal
Northbrook
North Chicago
North Lake *
Oak Forest
Oswego *
Orland Park
Palatine *
Palos Hills *
Pekin
Peoria
Rockford
Rock Island
Romeoville
Round Lake
Russell
Schaumburg *
Skokie
Springfield
Streamwood
Swansea *
Taylorville *
Village of Roselle *
Waukegan
Wheaton
Wheeling
Wilmington
Woodstock *
Worth *
Zion *
County Level
Cook *
DeKalb
Du Page *
Lake *
McHenry *
Sangamon *
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SSFOA LINKS
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SILVER STAR FAMILIES ILLINOIS
REP SUNSHINE ROTH
County President Todd Stroger and SSFOA IL Rep Sunshine Roth
Veterans and County members
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EASTER 2009
On April 8th 2009, I delivered 37 Easter Bags to the North Chicago VA Nursing home.
The bags were done by Girl Scout Troop 113 of Wheeling, Illinois.
The girls names are Siera, Keli, Lori, Olivia, and Teresa. The leaders are Mary V and Stacey C.
Each bag contains toiletries and cards, word puzzle books and other odds and ends. There were no food products due to different diets of the patients.
The girls also made cards for each bag and extras for other patients there.
These young women were the highlight of the North Chicago VA nursing home and made all of the patients that received the Easter
bags very happy.
I am very proud to know these young women and hope to do something special for them soon. In my eyes they are future Silver Star Family members. In my eyes they are little shining stars themselves.
Tribune Article: http://triblocal.com/Skokie/List_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=69315
Sunshine and Carol attended the lunceon with two banner recipients and twenty veterans from Hines VA hospital, Richard Morbidioni who is the Cook County Veterans Coordinator and a Chicago Tribune Reporter.
Mr. Martinez, who was the first Mexican American from Illinois to be wounded in Korea not once but twice, talked of his emotional experiences. SSFOA Rep Sunshine was interviewed before going over to the SkokieTheatre, which was built in the 1920's for the ceremony and concert. Approximately seventy five people attended. Sunshine shared her speech before the presentations.
Mr. Martinez and Mr. Waldman, who was the other Korean Veteran, received their Silver Star Banners and Certificates. Larry Suffredin, Cook County Commissioner, who was at the presentation two weeks ago told me how impressed he was with Silver Star Families. Larry is also a Veteran.
On July 15th the Skokie Theatre is doing a Salute To America and the gentleman that is performs with the USO and is a part of an organization called www.USAForgottenHeroes.com He would like to plan another Banner presentation in the future.
®
Silver Star shining for sacrifice, honoring wounded, ill and dying members of our Armed Forces, and bringing remembrance to those so deserving of our thanks.
We will never forget . . . WELCOME HOME!
July 4th Event
Sunshine, Beth, Carol
July 15, 2009
Hello Family
Well today was my third Banner Presentation, and this one was probably
the most emotional of all. The day started early. Today was truly an experience.
There were three banner recipients
Norval Nelson - Frogman United States Navy
Normandy, France. 200 Frogmen went in and 17
came out. Norval is one of the few survivors left.
He is 91 years old and spry as can be.
James Lutke - US Marine Corp.
Served in Korea and lost his left foot
The speech that he made brought me to tears
Daniel T. Finn - US Army
Vietnam Veteran
Hobo Woods Iron Triangle
Daniel is the Commander of the Military Order of Purple Hearts
What a man. His wife Christina Finn heads a project called
the Patriotic Pillow Project. They surprised me and honored Jay
with a pillow even though Jay wasn't there. Very emotional.
www.patrioticpillowproject.org
These Patriotic Pillows are gifts from the hearts of American citizens nation wide! They are never to be sold, purchased, or auctioned!
Hopefully the pictures will tell the rest of the story. Carol did a fine job getting us there and home. We only got lost 3 times coming home and I managed to keep my slip on Cathy.
I think that Carol is a candidate for photography lessons, but I don't know what I would do with out her.
Here are a few pictures from today below. More in the scroller above.
Blessings and Love
Sunshine
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JULY 25, 2009
The Alpine Festival in Lake Zurich, IL. has been a tradition here since 1942.
It is done by the Lions Club and they do a wonderful job. I was given a
booth for free which made it even nicer. It is a three day event. I only did
2 days. Saturday and Sunday. Carol helped and Sam was in town so she was
there helping too. My daughter Amy came on Sunday and she helped also.
We got the word out about SSFOA, the American Legion who would not have anything to do with me before now wants us to speak thereand we got a banner request out of it and a new member who approached us. So it was a success.
More pics in the slideshow below.
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WELCOME
SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA is dedicated to supporting and assisting the wounded, ill and dying veterans and active duty troops and their families of ALL Branches of Service and ALL Wars. Our goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice of wounded servicemembers and injuries or illness that originated in a war zone, including, Purple Heart recipients, victims of friendly fire, those who suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange effects and Gulf War syndrome. We are also advocates for the Wounded and assist in educating the public concerning their plight. SSFOA is a member of America Supports You and is working together with other ASY organizations to support our wounded service members in the way they deserve. SSFOA is a VA Volunteer Service Advisory Board member. Membership is FREE and includes Newsletter, and access to the Yahoo Boards. Membership is open to all.
Please join us as we honor or wounded and ill service members in Illinois.
Valentines Pictures from 2nd grade classes for
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans 2010
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar. 22, 2010
North Chicago VA Medical Center primary practitioner nationally selected as “Top Doc”
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. - Silver Star Families of America and MilitaryConnection.com recently selected Elaine Yildiz, North Chicago VA Medical Center Primary Practitioner, as their certified physician assistant “Top Doc” of the year.
The patient-selected award is designed to recognize excellence in military and Veteran healthcare, and is solely awarded by the nomination from patients.
“I’m really humbled by this award, because I was only doing what I’m expected to do -- take care of my patients,” said Yildiz. “I take care of them as individuals and Veterans who deserve only the best treatment.”
Yildiz was selected as the annual recipient in the “Above & Beyond Primary Physician and Primary Practitioner Award” category, where a top physician and primary practitioner are selected nationally.
“Elaine puts her patients at the heart of everything she does, and exemplifies the VA’s commitment of integrating mental health and primary care,” said Dr. Chowdary Jampala, North Chicago VA Medical Center Mental Health Services and Yildiz’s supervisor. “We’re very proud that she’s being recognized in this fashion, and feel it’s only appropriate that she was nominated by those she helps each day.”
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About the Facility: The North Chicago VA Medical Center is a comprehensive medical facility consisting of nearly 500 beds with a broad spectrum of programs and services to care for our nation’s veterans. North Chicago VAMC is part of the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12, which includes Jesse Brown VA Health Care System (IL); Hines VA Hospital (IL); Milwaukee VAMC (WI); Madison VA Hospital (WI); Tomah VAMC (WI); and Iron Mountain VAMC (MI).
PHOTO CUTLINE SUGGESTION (high-resolution photos available, upon request):
Yildiz1 - Elaine Yildiz, North Chicago VA Medical Center Primary Practitioner, was selected as the annual “Top Doc” by Silver Star Families of America and MilitaryConnection.com, where a top physician and primary practitioner are selected nationally. (Photo by Jonathan Friedman)
Yildiz2 – (From left) Elaine Yildiz, North Chicago VA Medical Center Primary Practitioner, receives a “Top Doc” award from Sunshine Roth, Silver Star Families of America National President, at the North Chicago VA Medical Center. (Photo by Jonathan Friedman)
Hello family,
Yesterday, Carol and I had the great pleasure of having a booth at the Woodstock Harley Davidson Dealership to Welcome Home Sgt. James Ferguson and The MS Ride For The Cure".
It was a beautiful day, with little wind and bright and sunny. The temperatures were in the high 50's. We arrived to check in at 8:30am and were given our place
to set up. There weren't many vendors and that was okay.
We raised over $200.00, and have been asked back to 3 more rides at least.
Please see attached pictures.
The posters were made by my daughter Amy. Thank you Amy.
First 3 pictures are our booth
Second Pictures - a biker
Third Picture Rolling Thunder Welcoming Home Sgt. Ferguson
Fourth and Fifth pictures posters made by Amy
6th picuture Carol and Sgt. Ferguson and somebody else
7th and 8th picture Sgt. Ferguson and Parents.
This was truly an incredible experience.
This was the second Banner Presentation done in Cook County, Illinois which is the second largest county in the Country.
Last year when I did the presentations it was the first time I had ever done a Banner Presentation before. Some of you might also remember that I lost my
slip while walking through the county building. Today I wore pants.
So here is what happened today. There were 11 banner recipients. These recipients were the most severely wounded of any recipients I have ever done.
9 of them were from Iraq/Afghanistan and the other 2 were Vietnam.
The County Board room was filled with Commissioners as well as families for the recipients. It went very smoothly and there was a reception afterwards where everyone got to mingle and meet. They were also all informed of the Pepsi Refresh Project and to please vote for Tunes for Troops.
They just showed the 5 pm news and actually showed part of the presentation and mentioned Silver Star Families at least 5 times. I'm hoping that in a bit I should have the link to the newscast.
The attached pictures say the whole story. It was emotional as always and I am still walking on cloud 9 from the presentation.
That's pretty much it. I will send the link to the news station if it appears.
Blessings to all and once again Diana and Steve thank you for making this a reality.
Sunshine
Hello family,
The 3rd of July 4th of July Festival in Lake Zurich was a lovely day.
Beautiful Illinois day. It's what makes the winters worth it.
The festival was held on the 3rd and most of us don't know why.
Either way it was a great day. We had the American Legion and VFW
on one side of us and they bring in hospitalized veterans from North Chicago VA
for the day.
Carol and I had a great time with them and it is something that we look forward
to. We had the great priviledge of meeting a WWII Veteran named Spencer Loomis.
I didn't know it was him but when I found out it made my day. He is head of the
Historical Society here in Lake Zurich and a Wounded Veteran. A banner presentation
is being planned and will be held at the Historical Society here in Lake Zurich.
Attached are some of the pictures from the day.
Blessings to all
Sunshine
