It was  the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month Thursday. And Naperville stood silent.  More than 300 people — 100 of whom were veterans — lowered their heads in a moment of silence to honor the U.S. Military and Veterans Day. "Every year there seems to be a better crowd," said Terry Jelinek, senior vice commander of the American Legion Naperville post, who was announcing for the ceremony. "But just to remind everyone, whether it's driving rain or snow, we're out here every year." Jelinek, who served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam, said record-high temperatures Thursday …

Naperville School District 203 honored veterans, both retired and active, with a breakfast Thursday morning at the district's administration building. Along with a buffet of food, the roomful of veterans was treated to a choral performance from the Naperville Central High School Chorelles and readings from school students. Nina Petru, retired from the U.S. Air Force, said that the breakfast was a wonderful thing for the district to do. Petru served 26 years with tours in both Iraq and Kuwait. "Personally, Veterans Day is just a day to reflect and remember what my service was and what my …

Naperville resident Donna Morsovillo is the woman behind the curtain. Founder and sole worker for Operation Welcome You Home, she tirelessly plans ornate homecomings for military men and women throughout Chicagoland so they can be paid the honor, respect and gratitude they deserve. Today, Veterans Day, she's thinking of all the brave men and women who've served in the military."You shed a lot of tears when you do this, you really do," she said.Morsovillo quit her job several months back and now works full-time to coordinate flag lines, motorcycle convoys and groups of supporters. She contacts…

Veterans Day is set aside to honor veterans for their service, patriotism and dedication and, in some cases, for sacrificing their lives for their country. On Thursday, numerous events will be held locally and regionally to honor veterans. Along with the many services and ceremonies, businesses also are finding ways to give back to veterans with free meals and discounts. Naperville School District 203 will honor veterans with a breakfast event, which will include readings and entertainment. After the event, many of the veterans will visit individual schools within the district for special …

Seeing students at Waubonsie Valley High School honor veterans on Tuesday meant more to Gloria Caruso than they will likely ever understand.She and her husband, Joe Caruso, lost their son, U.S. Marines Sgt. Dave Caruso, exactly six years ago Tuesday on Nov. 9, 2004, to a battle in Fallujah, Iraq. He was 25 years old. Joe said proudly that his son, who graduated from Marine Force Recon School, "died defending his team." He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal."It's so good to see the students here appreciating the veterans," said Gloria Caruso, 64, of Naperville. "This really does our hearts good…

A local Marine and his buddies were welcomed home with a police, fire and Warriors' Watch Riders escort through Naperville to a reception at the Judd Kendall VFW Saturday evening. Kevin Greene, a Waubonsie Valley graduate, and friends Dylan Morgan and Adam Kary recently returned from Afghanistan and were surprised at the Greene family home before being escorted through town to the VFW in downtown Naperville. Please take a moment to watch our video and honor their bravery and service to our country. To participate in an event welcoming home local military personnel, visit Operation Welcome You…

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and local veterans said this past week that they feel honored to have served during the conflict. The war officially began June 25, 1950, and was a result of the political division of North and South Korea. The U.S. was supporting South Korea on behalf of the United Nations. An armistice was signed on in July 1953. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Naperville-based, Korean War and Cold War Era Ceremony Committee, have planned a special tribute on Sunday to honor all area veterans who served from June 1950 to…

A Naperville flag line and crowds adorned in red, white and blue greeted two Marines Wednesday evening, upon their return home from Afghanistan. Cpl. Jake Tannenbaum, 21, was a 2008 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School. He was deployed to Afghanistan in February. There, he was part of the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel, known as TRAP, as well as Private Security Detail. Lance Cpl. Richard Boschsero, of San Antonio, Tex., joined the U.S. Marine Corps about three years ago, according to a news release from Operation Welcome You Home Illinois. His duty station is at Camp Pendleton …