Photo by Jennifer Rice
World War II veteran Paul Linden, shown in his U.S. Army Air Force uniform and in 2012 at the Air Classics Museum in Sugar Grove, passed away Friday, April 26 at the age of 89. During his service, he flew 39 combat missions over Japan as a radio operator, earning both the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 2, 2013
     I understand I can’t speak for the growing senior population, but I’d like to think that as the decades add on, and they near the end of their life, they can see the mark they made on the world — no matter how insignificant.
     I’m sure they hope their loved ones will described them as gentle and kind and when they leave this Earth, its in a condition better than they found it.
     The Fox Valley community recently lost an individual that met all the above requirements for living a fulfilled life. Aurora resident Paul Linden died Friday, April 26. In his 89-years, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force in the 73rd bomb wing from 1942 to 1945. As a World War II radio operator, his crew flew 39 combat missions over Japan — a feat almost unheard of.
     His ease of talking and relaxed personality made Linden a wonderful choice to address young students when a school needed a veteran to discuss stories about the Greatest Generation.
     Time and time again, Linden would recount his life experiences during WWII and of his many flights — especially his crew’s last bombing mission when his B-29 Superfortress Miss Behavin’ left the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands. They were informed they had to shut down two engines so it would make a landing at Iwo Jima — 700 miles away. It currently was under American control. They made it unscathed.
     For his service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and many other awards.
     Most weekends you could find Linden at the Air Classics Museum of Aviation in Sugar Grove giving tours and answering questions. When he had free time at home, he was in his basement woodworking shop making furniture and wooden trinkets. His latest creation was a children’s airplane table he painted blue, red and yellow that he made for the Air Classics Museum.
     I know I can’t speak for Linden’s family and friends, but I’m comfortable saying they will speak kind of him. Linden impacted not only those afforded his years and years of friendship, but also those who never knew him.
     In 2012, two men — the Davison brothers from New York — contacted Linden. Their father flew with Linden during WWII. Unfortunately, their father passed away when they were young and they never had an opportunity to hear their father’s stories of the war.
     Linden was able to fill in details they never knew. Even though he was 88-years-old, his mind remained sharp, and was able to recall the slightest details of particular bombing missions.
     After hearing the news that Linden passed away, Jeffrey Davison explained what Linden meant to him, even though they never met.
     “Hearing his first-hand accounts was a good reminder of what all of us owe to the men and women in the military service. These guys really were the Greatest Generation. Even though my family never met Paul in person, he will be missed by us,” Davison said.
     Without a doubt, Linden will be missed by us all.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is Jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Photo by Jennifer Rice
Gov. Pat Quinn made an appearance in Naperville to talk with local Democrats attending the Naperville Township Democratic Organization about the need for infrastructure, veterans and rebuilding after the flood. Earlier in the day, he broke ground on a veterans housing development.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 2, 2013
     NAPERVILLE — Local Democrats were treated with a guest appearance by Gov. Pat Quinn April 25 at a fundraiser for the Naperville Township Democratic Organization (NTDO).
     Before a packed house at BlackFinn American Saloon in downtown Naperville, Quinn discussed the need for infrastructure improvements, honoring our veterans and the devastation from the recent flooding.
     Quinn acknowledged Illinois is the heart of the heartland, and with that comes the need for adequate transportation to move goods via rail, road, air or water, which is being accomplished with the Capital Bill — the first of its kind in 10 years.
     Infrastructure improvements are synonymous with jobs — a word everybody wants to hear.
     “We have to use our public works in Illinois to rebuild our roads, bridges and rail and water systems. We need to make those investments. We took a terrible blow with jobs in the great recession, but we’re coming back,” Quinn explained. He pointed to the collaborative effort undertaken in 2010 to bring Navistar to Lisle, and with it, 400 construction jobs.
     Naperville Mayor George Pradel said he was thrilled by Quinn’s visit and his unrelenting support for the NTDO.
     “He’s helped us so many times. Quinn’s for economic development and bringing business to Naperville and surrounding cities — no matter what other people say,” Pradel explained.
     Earlier in the day, Quinn attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Chicago’s South Side Englewood neighborhood for Hope Manor II, where more than two acres of vacant land will be transformed into an affordable housing development with services for veterans with families.
     “We can’t forget those who gave to the call of duty, who sacrificed time in their life and went forward in the face of danger,” Quinn said. He added he’d like to see returning veterans receive access to good education, decent health care and jobs.
     “The best way to fight poverty, crime and to keep families together is to do it with a J-O-B,” Quinn said to applause.
     Even though flood waters have receded and clean up has been underway for several weeks, the governor announced he declared 44 Illinois counties as disaster areas. Traveling various counties hit hardest by the flood, Quinn said it was inspiring to see neighbors helping neighbors.
     “The essence of Illinois is shown in its people: the first responders — like police officers, firefighters — as well as regular people, came together to help each other. It was inspiring to see democracy working together for the common good, despite these hard times,” he said.
     NTDO Chair Dianne McGuire said Quinn has always been an advocate for our nation’s veterans, women and health care issues. He’s remains undaunted by criticism and challenges seemingly insurmountable.
     “Quinn can truly measure his success in terms of his contributions to the well being of this state,” McGuire said.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is Jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Photo courtesy of CISCO
From left, CISCO’s Keynote Speaker Mark “Rusty” Sherwood; CISCO Founder John E. Kenny Jr.; CISCO Executive Director John Brining; Illinois Department of Labor Director Joe Costigan and Board Member Steve Cisco, representing Operating Engineers Local 150.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, April 25, 2013
     SCHAUMBURG — Becoming a powerhouse labor management organization in the construction industry doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of planning, dedication and partnerships. With any profession, you take the highs with the lows and have the expectation of coming out the other side successful, relevant and worthy.
     The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) has made it through the other side. This year marks 25 years of service to the union construction industry. It celebrated this landmark and thanked those who have been by its side during its annual luncheon April 19 in Schaumburg.
     “Over the years, we’ve re-invented ourselves, we’re innovative, relative and in demand. And we’re going to continue that way,” CISCO Executive Director John Brining said.
     He explained that a collection of decisions over the past 25 years led CISCO to evolve and meet the changing needs of its members. One early example was implementing substance abuse programs, which led to increased worker safety.
     “When you go to work in the morning, you go in one piece. We want you to come home the same way. And that program has been successful,” Brining explained.
     The collective power of CISCO’s members has allotted the organization the ability to negotiate better health care rates with providers and has given its legislative division more leverage to support legislation that’s in the best interest of the construction industry.
     In recent years, with CISCO’s help, public-private partnerships paved the path for developers and end-users to get projects approved. “This shows we’re making a difference,” Brining said. He looked to the recent announcement of renovations at Wrigley Field and the Illinois Jobs Now! capital bill as proof.
     “When it came to these various projects, we can go on and on with the number of times CISCO was asked by the developer to help them get it done. We’re proud of that,” Brining said. “CISCO made sure we mobilized and worked hard to fill up public hearing rooms and to get our voice heard.”
     To look at CISCO as it stands now, and to look beyond 2013, Brining said CISCO will make sure projects make it through and get built. “All of our collective efforts have paid off and we’re going to continue to stay engaged.”