JANE CHARMELO PHOTO
Lombard VFW Lilac Post 5815 helped make possible a graduation ceremony for Cadet Lt. Col. Charles Grunert at the Sunken Garden on Sunday, May 3. Grunert had his own special commencement from the military academy at Norwich University in Vermont, the oldest private military college in the United States. Grunert’s dad, Larry, had made the request to have a lieutenant or higher officiate, and reached out to the local VFW, which in turn contacted VFW District 19. Pictured are (left to right) Post Commander Dennis Jensen, Grunert, District 19 Senior Vice Commander Brett Nila (who officiated) and VFW Past Commander Tom Zilla.
