Wounded Heroes Receive Special Salute

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presided at a ceremony marking May 1, 2007 as the first annual Silver Star Banner Day in Illinois. Five wounded Illinois servicemembers will receive the Silver Star Banner in recognition of their sacrifice in service to our country. Silver Star Banner Day will be celebrated for the first time in 22 other states.

The Silver Star Banner is given to any armed forces personnel who has honorably served or is currently serving, in a war zone and has been wounded by enemy action, injured by other means, or has contracted a serious illness that can be rated at least 10 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such illnesses include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Gulf War Syndrome, or exposure to Agent Orange. To receive the Silver Star Banner, an individual would not have to be eligible for the Purple Heart or any other military decoration.

"The Silver Star Banner is given to the men and women who have served faithfully so that this world might be a better place to live," said Quinn.  "Silver Star Banner Day is a day to honor the wounded who fought in the wars of the United States. Today the people of Illinois publicly express their love, respect, and appreciation for their bravery and sacrifice." 

Quinn will present the Silver Star Banner to the following individuals:

·         Army Staff SGT Michael Erlandson of New Port Richey, Florida  - Staff SGT Erlandson was injured in October 2003 in Iraq after his armored vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Staff SGT Erlandson suffered a concussion, temporary blindness, and deafness. Staff SGT Erlandson has also been awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.

·         Army SGT Neal D. Bonham of Elmira, New York - SGT Bonham was injured in December 2005 in Iraq in an IED explosion. SGT Bonham suffered blunt force trauma to his knee, among other injuries. Despite his injured state, during the attack SGT Bonham carried his fellow wounded servicemembers to safety. For his heroic efforts SGT Bonham also received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor.

·         Marine SGT Joshua M. Horton of Oswego - SGT Horton received injuries to his arm and leg in October 2004 in Iraq.

·         Navy HM3 Jose Sanchez of Freeport - HM3 Sanchez was injured in September 2005, in an IED explosion in Iraq. He suffered frontal lobe scarring on his brain, two broken feet, dislocated ribs and massive bruises throughout his body when he was trampled by the crowd fleeing the blast. Although multiple surgeries have repaired some of HM3 Sanchez's foot injuries, he still walks with a slight limp and suffers blackouts and intense migraines caused by the brain injury.

·         Navy EO2 Harold Beville of Sauk Village - EO2 Beville was injured in August 2006 in Iraq while sweeping the roads for IEDs. Injured in an explosion, EO2 Beville received 10 staples in his skull and two months of physical therapy for his back.

For more information on Silver Star Banner Day and how to nominate a wounded soldier to receive this honor, please visit: www.OperationHomefront.org. With nearly 19 million hits, it's one of the country's most informative websites on supporting our troops.