About 45 veterans from the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago were treated to a midday of fishing, fellowship, and a barbecue at the annual Jim Heier Fishing Derby in Vernon Hills along the Bear lakes at Century Park.
The Vernon Hills Police Department presented the June 27 derby. The veterans were brought by large white vans from the Lake County health care center and greeted by police personnel and volunteers.
The Vernon Hills Fire Department was also on hand with its bright red fire engine equipment. Small American flags lined the driveway and entry path as a show of welcome to veterans on a blue-sky Saturday in the lower 70s. Guests received swag upon arrival and left with goody bags.
The fishing derby was launched by James T. Heier, who was a Vernon Hills village trustee and served in the United States Navy. He died in 2013, according to https://bancodeprofissionais.com/2013/09/11/james-t-heier-1925-2013-2/.
Andi Hoppe, Vernon Hills Police executive secretary and event spokesperson, said honoring veterans is important, “because they’ve done so much for us, they’ve been through a lot,” she said, adding a personal wish is, “to do something and give back to them.”
An estimated 30 volunteers assisted, Hoppe said.
“Thank you for coming out and helping us support the veterans,” Hoppe said in appreciation of volunteers.
Vernon Hills Chief of Police Patrick L. Kreis staffed the event and was overheard telling someone at the buffet line that he was “taking care of a vet,” with a special meal request for that guest.
When he was 17 during his senior year, Chief Kreis enlisted, “right out of high school in the Army Reserve and spent over eight years in the Army Reserve but over two years of active duty during that time, and then I joined my first police department, so I’ve been a police officer for 36 years now,” he said.
Kreis has 26 years of police service in Winnetka, including as chief of police, before coming to Vernon Hills as chief of police.
“It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood between all the veterans, and we love each other,” Kreis added.
Kries was seen shaking hands with Vern Blausey of North Chicago, who enlisted to serve in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970.
“Thank you so much; it means a lot to us. We didn’t get a lot of things for us when we came out of the service; man, this means a lot now,” Blausey said.
Blausey was asked what happened when he came home immediately after military service, if he was welcomed.
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“No,” Blausey said, but he feels the show of appreciation for veterans is, “a lot better, a lot better now.
“I still deal with some issues,” Blausey added of personal challenges related to military service.
Attendee Benjamin Stackhouse of Waukegan served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 and 1953.
“I was in Korea,” Stackhouse said quietly, adding the event on Saturday was “wonderful.”
Among volunteers grilling food like hot dogs, burgers, and brats were Fox Lake American Legion volunteers Caryn Ureina and Russ Gilley, both of Fox Lake.
“We always love doing this,” Gilley said. “It’s just second nature to us.”
Ureina said volunteering is “giving back to the community.”
The buffet included fruit, Independence Day iced cookies, potato and pasta salads, soft drinks and water plus snacks like packaged potato crisps of many flavors to choose from.
Anglers Matthew Mitsven of Gages Lake, who served in the U.S. Army cavalry branch from 2017 to 2020 and Henry Hammond of North Chicago and Porter County, Indiana, who served in the U.S. Navy in the late 1990s, fished together on Little Bear Lake.
Bluegill seemed to be the frequent and popular catch of the day for many anglers.
Mitsven said about organizers and volunteers, “I think we should appreciate you guys for helping us out.”
“As far as appreciating us, we’re really like risking a lot in uncertainty and a lot of invisible wounds are left over,” Mitsven said.
“I can tell I know that a lot of people are dealing with a lot of stuff.”
Daisy, a female 10-month-old purebred Labrador Retriever and a wellness dog, was also present as veterans arrived.
Daisy’s handler is Melissa Jasso of Grayslake, training and logistics coordinator for the Vernon Hills Police. Jasso grew up in Vernon Hills and is of the Libertyville High School Class of 2000.
Regarding Daisy, “She helps with emotional support; she’s here for all the hugs and love and eases anxiety and just makes the day nicer for everyone,” Jasso said.
“She (Daisy) comes home with me every night and comes to work with me every day,” Jasso said with a smile. “Perfect job ever, best job ever.”
Learn more at the Village of Vernon Hills Police Department website via https://www.vernonhills.org/796/Jim-Heier-Veterans-Fishing-Derby.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
