On a chilly Saturday morning on Nov. 10 about 100 people were on hand to celebrate Veterans Day on
Hero Street Park in Silvis, Ill. Hero Street, U.S.A. received its name in 1968 to honor the fifty-seven servicemen from thirty-three families on this block-and-a-half who served in defense of America between 1941 and 1968. Six men died in World War II and two in the Korean conflict. A highlight of the morning was when Silvis Mayor Lyle Lohse presented Sgt. John Baker with the key to the city.
John F. Baker, Jr. is a retired U.S. Army Sgt. who served in the Vietnam War and received the Medal of Honor. Recently Silvis and other neighboring cities passed a resolution to change the name of the I- 74 Bridge to the John Baker Bridge. As Sgt. Baker spoke, he made it clear that the medal he won was not his.
“This medal is not mine, it was bestowed upon me. I am the caretaker and custodian of this medal. It belongs to each and every one of you that served your country.”
Another moving speech was given by Brian Muños, relative of John Muños, one of the eight fallen soldiers of Hero Street. He spoke of what Veteran’s Day means to him. To him it means family. He spoke of memories of Hero Street and memories of his time served in the Navy. He ended almost each line with, “I am Hero Street.” Listing all of his family that served in the U.S. Military, it was apparent that this street and day were of the utmost importance to him. He not only spoke of his family but of all Americans as one family.
“When we are one strong American family, we cannot be defeated,” Muños said.
Illinois State Senator Mike Jacobs was also present and spoke on the nation’s current war situation and how politicians need to recognize and support of all U.S. veterans. He shared stories of how some veterans were denied disability or made to send in as many as 5 claims before granted any federal money owed to them.
“This is a big bruise to America and to our veterans that risked their lives for our freedom,” said Senator Jacobs. He also thanked the wives of all the soldiers because “sometimes the battle at home is as hard as the battle being fought at war.”
The final speaker of the day was Illinois Congressman Phil Hare. He spoke passionately on how he would like to see Hero Street nationally recognized.
“We need to get Hero Street on the National Federal Landmark Status,” stated Congressman Hare. “That would bring national funding, but also it’s the recognition from the national government of the real sacrifice [of the veteran’s on this block].”
Congressman Hare also said that today, 1.1 million U.S. veterans are Hispanic. He added that there are 31, 000 Hispanic soldiers currently deployed and that 157,000 served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, since 1985 Hispanic enrolment in the military has increased 90 percent, which is the biggest increase in any race bracket. Also, 1 in every 10 members of the Army is of Hispanic descent as well as 1 in every 8 for the Marines.
Given these numbers, some local veterans agree that national registration funding being available would help with the upkeep of Hero Street. More importantly, funding would indefinitely help preserve the memories of the soldiers regardless of who occupies the office seats in Washington.
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