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West Peorians in the Military

The WPRA’s West Peoria News and its website would like to honor West Peoria residents and/or their family members who have served or are serving in our country’s military.    

To begin this on-going effort to commemorate Veterans’ Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, we need the help of our readers.  Please relay information by phone or e-mail to any WPRA member under About WPRA or listed on the last page of the West Peoria News. 

West Peoria veterans through about 1993 are already listed on the memorial monument located on the park property at the corner of Sterling and Heading.   The former Township Supervisor, John Seabeck (now deceased), spearheaded the efforts for that memorial.  Sharon McBride was also instrumental in gathering names for the monument.  Please inform us of any others who helped with this effort.

The WPRA would like to enhance the work already begun with that memorial.  Of course, we want to publish the names of those veterans whose names do not appear on the monument.  However, even if a name is already on the memorial, we would appreciate receiving more detailed information about that person so that we can post it on the website.

The West Peoria News will definitely publish the names of those West Peorians and/or their family members who are currently serving in the military.  More detailed information about those on active duty as well as the names and details about the veterans will probably be published only on the website.

For those on active duty, please provide the following information:

  • Name of the service person and his/her relationship to a West Peoria family
  • Branch of the military in which he/she serves
  • Place where he/she is presently stationed
  • Number of years of service
  • Any other pertinent details

For veterans please provide the following information:

  • Name of the service person and his/her relationship to a West Peoria family (Please indicate if the veteran is deceased.) 
  • Branch of the military in which he/she served
  • The time period in which he/she served (a particular war, dates, etc.)
  • The place where he/she served
  • Any interesting anecdotes related to his/her service

The United States’ military history includes:

  • World War I (1917-1918)
  • World War II (1941-1945)
  • Korean War (1950-1953)
  • Vietnam War 1964-1975)
  • Gulf War (1990-1991)
  • War on Terror (2001-present)

Of course, we also want information about those who served during peace times.