Illinois WWII Veterans Classroom Project

Rock Island High School was fortunate to be one of eight schools in Illinois to receive a grant to interview veterans and post their edited stories online. We have a great many local "heroes" here in the Quad Cities. A recurring theme seems to be their modesty when interviewed. In some way they all say something to the effect that they "Are proud to have served their country in some small way". They are an amazing generation and their stories can be viewed here.

Bert is our new hero. This guy has gone to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport 300 times to welcome troops home from Iraq and Afganistan... 300 times in the LAST YEAR. It’s a program the airport started called Welcome Home A Hero. And he believes it’s worth it.

We had many calls today after our interview with Bert from soldiers who were part of a welcome. Some talked about how great it made them feel, some got emotional, and some commented on how contagious it was, with busy travelers stopping to applaud the returning soldiers. Bert’s story was captured on ABC News.

Person of the Week: Bert Brady

HOW CAN WE ALL SHOW OUR SUPPORT?

Good question. Bert’s group consists of fellow vets, family and friends of soldiers, and compassionate individuals who have learned of the welcome home and wanted to help. It’s not the same people every time (except Bert of course), but enough care every time. He told us, “Sometimes it 8 of us, sometimes a thousand.”

The information will come from you, so talk to your neighbors, and friends who know someone serving. They deserve a welcome home, a thank-you, and a salute. We’ve had success with the Patriot Guard events, and even welcome home motorcade salutes in limited form. We’d like to see it get bigger.

We think this is worth it.

All Era Veterans Healing Field Of The Quad Cities

All Era Veterans Healing Field Of The Quad Cities supports and is comprised of people from all of our local military organizations including all 5 branches of the U.S. Military, the Patriot Guard Riders, Marine Moms, American Legion Riders and so on.

All working in conjunction with each other to support our active duty military members, their families and in honor and remembrance of those who've paid the ultimate price for our freedom, including Welcome Homes, Send Offs, escorts, nursing home visits, Jason's Box, local parades, numerous other events as well as the Healing Field event itself held every August at Davenport Memorial Park.