Norval Nelson, 91, one of the last surviving U.S. Navy divers from the June 6, 1944 invasion of Nazi-occupied France, was among those veterans honored in a ceremony Sept. 9 at the Skokie Theatre.
The event, presented by the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, the Silver Star Families of America and The American Patriot Program, paid tribute to Nelson and fellow veterans, including several from Hines VA Hospital.
Nelson was 26 years old when he, along with 199 other divers—or frogmen as they were called—crossed the English Channel on D-Day. Though suffering five combat injuries in six days, he survived the invasion—one of only 17 frogmen to do so.
“It’s a great honor and privilege to be standing up here with you,” said SSFOA National Secretary Sunshine Roth, who, along with VAC Superintendent Richard A. Morbidoni, presented Nelson with The American Patriot Program award. TAPP partners with baseball organizations to recognize wounded veterans by awarding them commemorative bats inscribed with the recipient’s name.
Also nominated for a TAPP award was Roth’s husband, Jay, a veteran of the Vietnam War. Roth served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" from 1971 to 1972, and suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder as well as other ailments resulting from Agent Orange exposure.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be standing here up here with Jay today,” Roth said. “He is my hero and has been for 37 years, and I ask for another 37 years.”
Two other veterans were recognized by SSFOA, which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to recognize and honor wounded and ill veterans from all branches of the U.S. military, as well as the families that have supported them and sacrificed for their service.
Two corporals, William T. Stenberg and Thomas M. Alioto, received Silver Star Banners from SSFOA for their service during the Korean War.
Stenberg suffered shrapnel wounds to his left leg and right arm while serving with the U.S. Army’s 1st Calvary Division from 1951 to 1953.
“I appreciate [the award] very much,” he told the crowd. “But most of all, I support the troops [serving] now.”
Alioto lost his leg as a result of wounds he suffered while serving with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division in 1953. He, too, was appreciative of the recognition.
“I appreciate the honor that you folks have bestowed upon me,” he said. “I appreciate the fact that we as veterans served our country. I’m very grateful to be in this country.”
Before the awards ceremony, Bears of Hope founder Carolyn Reiner presented the veterans in attendance with patriotic fabric bears.
“When [Skokie Theatre Executive Director] Al Curtis told me that there were going to be some veterans coming here from Hines VA Hospital, I said, ‘Isn’t there something that Bears of Hope could do for the veterans to honor them and thank them for their service?’” Reiner said.
After the presentations, the veterans stayed for entertainment provided by singer Tony Bernard.
—Jonathan Bullington, Triblocal.com reporter
