Phyllis Sides: An honor that was a long time coming

Thursday, January 25, 2007 2:13 AM CST

An honor that was a long time coming

I'm pleased to say I've had a lot of good news and events worth reporting in my mail lately. And I have to say - most of the things I write about are positive, despite what some people say when they submit an item for consideration. Their generally added caveat - that all they read or hear is bad news - does not make their item more attractive.

There are many positive stories in the paper every day. And yes, we do write about the bad news because we would certainly be remiss if we didn't. I know I'd want to know if the friendly neighborhood ax murderer struck my block.

But on to news about a very special presentation.

From time to time I receive press releases from Kate Matus, Rep. Paul Ryan's press secretary. The one I got Jan. 12 put a lump in my throat. Its title caught my eye.

"WWII Veteran Leonard Susalla of Kenosha to be Awarded the Bronze Star Medal," it said.

Of course I wondered what took so long, and Matus was gracious enough to find out why.

In November, Beverly Weber requested Ryan's assistance with obtaining her father's military awards; the Combat Infantryman Badge; Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine bar; and the Honorable Service Lapel Button-WWII.

Weber asked that her father's medals be reissued because he didn't get them all the first time around. Those he did receive were stolen, Matus said.

After contacting the Department of the Army, Ryan's office learned Susalla also was entitled to the Bronze Star Medal. On Jan. 15, Susalla received his medals during a special ceremony at his daughter's home in Wind Lake.

Ryan presented the Bronze Star Medal to Susalla. Pvt. 1st Class Susalla served in the infantry from Dec. 19, 1942, to Nov. 15, 1945. He participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. Earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, Matus said, entitled him to receive the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during the Second World War.

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

More family birthdays

After reading my column about the family who shared birthdays, I got a note from proud grandma Sally Madden. Madden said, "I couldn't help but think that we have an even more remarkable shared birthday in our family. Our daughter-in-law, Marianne Madden, shares her Sept. 27 birthday with two of her three children, Sean, age 11, and Emma, age 8. And her babies arrived on their own schedule - no C-sections, no induced labor. They just liked that date!"

The family continues the celebration a week later, when the children's dad, Pete, and twin brother, Pat, celebrate their birthday, Sally said. "Lots of birthday cakes baking that week." However, Sally said Sean and Emma's sister, Erin, age 9, arrived on March 7 so she doesn't have to share her celebrated day.

A worthy event

I got a note the other day from Daryl Carter of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. The group is holding a seminar Feb. 3 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to observe National Black AIDS Awareness Day. The event is open to the public and community organizations. Booth space is still available.

The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the King Center, 1134 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Youth organizations are urged to bring their between the ages of 13-18 to the seminar.

The day's purpose is to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and how it affects families and communities. The seminar is designed to make young people and adults aware they have a choice when it comes to contracting HIV/AIDS, Carter said. The event is free and open to the public. Free HIV testing will be available throughout the day with results available in 20 minutes. For more information or to reserve a booth, call (262) 657-6644.

Good neighbor policy

Amanda Beaugrand wrote to tell us about her 10-year-old son who shovels and takes a 93-year-old neighbor's garbage out for her. Beaugrand said the woman "gives him some money - $1 every time he does it. He saves the money and does not spend it."

Nick, her son, says nobody at his school helps their neighbors out like he does, Beaugrand said. "My son says all kids should find a way to help older people out and they would stay out of trouble."

Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at: psides@journaltimes.com

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