All Chicago Veterans Invited to Leo High School Veterans Observance on Friday November 5th

Photo courtesy of Beverly Review

On Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Lou Knox tried to enlist in the Marines, but he was turned down for having an overbite.

Knox graduated from Leo High School in 1942, enrolled at DePaul University and was eventually drafted in February 1943.

“At that point, they would take you if you were warm,” Knox said.

A native of the parish of St. Columbanus Roman Catholic Church on the South Side, Knox served 34 months in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of Darby’s Rangers, an elite special operations unit whose members were the first American soldiers to see combat in the war. He scaled a cliff in the south of France and was the first American soldier to enter Rome. He also met the king and crown prince of Norway. During his tour, he was wounded twice and received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Now 87 and a resident of Tinley Park, Knox will recall some of his World War II experiences when he participates in the annual Leo High School Veterans Memorial Observance on Nov. 5. The event—co-sponsored by Leo High School, the Leo Alumni Association, Windy City Veterans, the Veterans Leadership Program, American Legion Giles Post #87 and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations—will take place in the school’s courtyard on 79th Street near Sangamon Avenue at 11 a.m. The event is open to the public.

Caroline Connors -Beverly Review

All Veterans, Veterans Organizations, Serving Members of the United States Military, All Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Officers, and Firefighters are honored by Leo High School.

Friday November 5th, 2010 Program:

Invocation and Prayers by Father William McFarland

Wreath Laying

Singing of Our National Anthem and God Bless America by Ms. Catherine O'Connell

Pledge of Allegiance

Recognition of Veterans by

1. Leo School Leadership

2. Leo Alumni Association3. Taps and Dismissal

Leo High School
7901 S. Sangamon Street
Chicago, Illinois 60620 ( 773) 224-9600 extension 208 -Mr. Pat Hickey for more information