CHICAGO, IL—Today, May 27, 2006, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), commemorated Memorial Day weekend with heroes of World War II.  During the ceremony, Emanuel awarded Frances Lis Grzanka, Edward Barrett, Sampson Joseph, and Robert Solomon with medals they earned more than 60 years ago but never received.  Emanuel also announced the introduction of the Safe Return Act of 2006, which will provide innovative solutions to ensure that returning veterans receive early intervention and treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

             “We have a proud military tradition in this country. Generations of American GIs have served humbly in the face of terror and insurgency across the globe and we are here today to honor some of Chicago’s heroes.  Their service to this country will never be forgotten,” said Emanuel.

            Before veterans and their families, Emanuel awarded Frances Lis Grzanka with the Women’s Army Corps Service medal with a bronze service star; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with a bronze service star; the World War II Victory medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button for World War II.  Edward Barrett received the Air Medal, the Good Conduct medal, the honorable service Lapel Button for World War II, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.  On behalf of his brother Sampson Joseph, Saul Joseph received the Bronze Star medal, the Good Conduct medal, the American Defense Service medal, the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign medal with a silver star, the World War II Victory medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge first award, the Honorable Service Lapel button for World War II, and the Expert Badge with Carbine Bar and Rifle Bar.  Finally, Robert Solomon received the Bronze Star medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge first award, and the Belgian Fourragere.

            “Memorial day is a time to honor those who have fallen, and to remember our responsibilities to those who have returned. ” said Emanuel.  “Like generations before them, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have served with distinction and honor through extraordinarily stressful situations. We cannot allow a single soldier, marine, sailor or airman to fall through the cracks.”

            According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, 20% of soldiers and Marines returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom “met the risk for a mental health concern.” And the General Accounting Office (GAO) found that only 22% of service members identified as at-risk for PTSD received referrals for further treatment. To ensure our vets have the immediate and effective treatment for their wounds, this week Emanuel introduced the Safe Return Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Specifically, the Safe Return Act will:

• Provide State governments with matching funds for grants to University mental health centers for research and delivery of PTSD services.
• Authorize a study on best practices to help ease the transition for National Guard and Reserves personnel from active duty to civilian life.
• Direct the Secretary of Defense to implement General Accounting Office recommendations regarding the diagnosis and referral of personnel at-risk for developing PTSD.
• Authorize additional funding for the Veterans Administration to expand veterans centers and peer-to-peer counseling initiatives.
• Require periodic reports from the Veterans Administration on patterns of diagnosis and treatment for PTSD.  

             “They fought bravely and proudly overseas,” said Emanuel.  “We must all stand with them as they return.”

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Today’s Medal Recipients

Frances Lis Grzanka served as a Sergeant in the Women’s Army Corps in Algiers for 14 months and for 10 months in Santa Maria, Italy, where she supervised the Postal Directory.  Mrs. Grzanka received the Good Conduct medal, the Women’s Army Corps Service medal with a bronze service star; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with a bronze service star; the World War II Victory medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button for World War II.  Mrs. Grzanka was born and raised in Chicago and is a current resident of the thirtieth ward.

Edward Barrett of Chicago served as a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps, seeing battle in the South Philippines, Luzon, and the Western Pacific.  For his valor he received the Air Medal, the Good Conduct medal, he honorable service Lapel Button for World War II, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. 

Sampson Joseph served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry.  He fought in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, the Rhineland and throughout Central Europe.  He earned the Bronze Star medal, the Good Conduct medal, the American Defense Service medal, the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign medal with a silver star, the World War II Victory medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge first award, the Honorable Service Lapel button for World War II, and the Expert Badge with Carbine Bar and Rifle Bar.  These medals and decorations were awarded posthumously to Mr. Joseph’s brother, Saul Joseph. 

Robert Solomon of Skokie served as a Private First Class infantryman in the U.S. Army, specializing as a rifleman.  He fought in battles in the Ardennes, Rhineland and throughout Central Europe.  Today he received the Bronze Star medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge first award, and the Belgian Fourragere.

Also in attendance were previous medals recipients and other veterans including:

Frank Andrews
Jerry Berns
Vic Cibelli
Albert Cohen
Herbert Ensdorf
John Golding
Raul Guevara
Joseph Jastrzab
Raymond Jusko
Harry Lachman
Harold Moe
John Pera
Lincoln Peters
William Ryan
William Richard Schroeder
Lincoln Tamraz
George Ustupski
Ed Waytula
Dan Wenserski