Community Corner

Local Wounded Veteran to Get Well-Deserved Hero's Welcome

Coordinators of a Saturday benefit honoring a Tinley woman who was wounded while serving in the U.S. Navy are asking residents to band together. A full escort will guide Jeannette Tarqueno to the VFW hall, where the event will be held.

For Ed Letourneau, seeing a military veteran smile makes it all worthwhile. 

And he's hoping to get an ear-to-ear grin on Saturday when a veteran sets eyes on her . Letourneau, founder of the nonprofit organization, Salute the Armed Forces, said he was recently contacted by friends of Jeannette Tarqueno, a U.S. Navy veteran who was injured last year while serving in the Persian Gulf. He's teamed up with other area organizations and the to host recover from a traumatic brain injury.  

A Gunner's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer, she was struck Dec. 4, 2011 in the left side of her head with 30 pounds of metal, according to Salute the Armed Forces. After receiving treatment in San Diego, she was sent back to her home port, Pearl Harbor. Her treatment continues with a hopeful prognosis, event coordinators said. It's believed that with the help of her family, she will make a full recovery. Her goal is to continue serving in the military, as she's done for the past decade, Letourneau said. 

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"She's given so much," he said. "Stepping up as a community is the least we can do. It'll be a tear jerker. That, I'm sure of."

John Bartosiewicz, a commander for the American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association, agreed. He helped coordinate a motorcade on Wednesday night from O'Hare all the way to Tinley Park. Illinois State Police, as well as law enforcement officials from Midlothian, Crestwood and Oak Forest and Tinley Park helped along the way, he said.

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Bartosiewicz has also arranged for an escort for Tarqueno on Saturday night from her local home to the VFW. 

"Her father told us it was really nice to see a smile on her face again," Bartosiewicz said. "Seeing the thumbs up from her in the car. That's what it's all about."

He said Tarqueno was in good spirits. She "lit up" when those around her began talking about one of her passions—motorcycle riding, Bartosiewicz said.

Saturday's event kicks off at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 7147 Oak Park Ave. Tickets, which cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door, include food, beer, wine, soda, live entertainment, door prizes and more, coordinators said. All proceeds will go straight the Tarquenos to off-set medical expenses that aren't being covered.

Tarqueno's family was not available to talk about the event this past week.


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