Romeoville Native Killed in Iraq Among 20 Veterans Being Honored in 'Flags of Valor' Ceremony

JOLIET, IL - A Romeoville native and U.S. Marine who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq is among those set to be honored this week during a special Flag Day ceremony in nearby Joliet.

Joliet and Will County Veterans Assistance Commission representatives are dedicating a Wednesday morning Flags of Valor ceremony to U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Adam W. Kaiser and 19 other Illinois military veterans who were killed following Sept. 11, 2001, according to a community alert.

Originally of Romeoville, Kaiser died on Dec. 1, 2005, according to his obituary. He was a graduate of Madison Jr. High School and Naperville Central High School. During his enlistment, he was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps's F Company, 2nd Batallion, 7th Mar (RCT-8, 2nd Mar Div), 1st Marine Division.

Will County residents are encouraged to attend the Flags of Valor ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, in the Joliet City Hall's Council Chambers — They're located on the second floor of the building at 150 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet. The event coincides with Flag Day, an annual holiday commemorating the Second Continental Congress's June 14, 1777, adoption of the American Flag in the U.S. This year marks the 240th anniversary of that resolution.

Speakers at the event will include Retired Army Colonel James Capparelli, Gold Star Sister Dawn Thomas, and Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk.

The ceremony will honor the following U.S. Military veterans:

• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Adam W. Kaiser, of Romeoville
• U.S. Army Sergeant Sirlou C. Cuaresma, of Chicago
• U.S. Marine Pfc. Sean T. Cardelli, of Downers Grove
• U.S. Marine Sergeant Edward G. Davis III, of Antioch
• U.S. Marine Sergeant Nickolas Lee Hopper, of Montrose
• U.S. Army Sergeant Grzegorz Jakoniuk, of Schiller Park
• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher, of Grayslake
• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jesse D. De La Torre, of Aurora
• U.S. Marine Corporal Adam T. McKiski, of Cherry Valley
• U.S. Marine Corporal Anthony G. Mihalo, of Naperville
• U.S. Marine Corporal Nathaniel K. Moore, of Champaign
• U.S. Marine Corporal Conner T. Lowry, of Chicago
• U.S. Marine Captain Nathan R. McHone, of Crystal Lake
• U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, of Markham
• U.S. Navy Reserve Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Brian M. Patton, of Freeport
• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Raymond J. Holzhauer, of Dwight
• U.S. Army Sergeant Landis W. Garrison, of Rapids City
• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Neil D. Petsche, of Lena
• U.S. Army Spc. Miguel Carrasquillo, of River Grove
• U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Debra A. Banaszak, of Bloomington

Those with questions should contact Wayne Horne at 815-483-8454 or WHorne@aol.com.