Soldiers and reservists from across Illinois have been packing their bags for the Middle East and saying painful goodbyes to their families. One such person is 43-year-old Luis F. Lacayo, a Guatemalan-born U.S. citizen, who lives on the Far Southeast Side. Lacayo, who has been in the reserves for 20 years and 2 months, is excited, but also worried for his family. “This is my birthday present from Uncle Sam,” he said last week as he packed his gear with the help of his daughter Elsa, 18, who also joined the Army, and his wife, Lourdes. Meanwhile, a special “Peace Mass” was held on Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on the Far Southeast Side. The mass was held to honor the men and women of the armed forces and their families. Lacayo’s family attended the mass.
