Illinois Gets One Right
We often give Illinois – and in particular, Chicago – grief for being a “shining example” of dystopia, foolishness, and corruption. But for once it looks like Illinois did something right.
What, you ask? Well, they named a bridge on the Illinois Tollway.
Nothing really new there, I guess. Except this time they didn’t name the bridge after some famous athlete, entertainer, or local mayor. Instead, they named the bridge after someone deserving the honor: a Medal of Honor recipient.
The man honored is Allen J. Lynch of Gurnee, IL. He received the MoH for heroism in action near My An, South Vietnam, on 15 December 1967.
You can read his MoH citation here. If you do, be prepared to be humbled – and awed.
Category: Feel Good Stories, Real Soldiers
Yes, for once it is not named after their favorite gay/lesbian/transgender darling but an actual hero. One good one for them. That’s one good mark on the board.
Very humbled. Not only by his gallantry in action, but by his postwar service to other veterans.
I’m no fan of Chicago, but to their credit Soldier Field and O’Hare Airport speak well of at least 2 things they got right. Trivia question: Why is the 3 letter designator for O’Hare ORD? No googlin allowed.
Because the original name was Orchard Airfield, and it’s too much mess to change things, as they found out with DEN/DIA. (I’m a pilot, flew in the Midwest for several years, have touched wheels on Meigs Field.)
Glad they did this. Maybe some kid will get curious and look up Lynch’s history.
Steel nuts on that one.
Oklahoma has brigdes and strectes of highway named for servicemen that have Fallen.These areas are usually near as possible to their home of record. Joe