Village of Justice Honors Lance Corporal Robertson & Unveils First Ever Veterans Tribute

A U.S. Marine who was injured while serving in Afghanistan was honored by the Village of Justice, where he once lived, during its regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Monday, July 26, 2010.
Lance Corporal Anthony Robertson was warmly welcomed and honored by Justice Village officials and presented a plaque for his service to our Country by U.S. Congressman Daniel Lipinski. In addition Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy sponsored a Resolution in honor of Lance Corporal Robertson.

"I wanted to make sure I would be here to thank Lance Corporal Anthony Robertson for his service to our country," Lipinski said.
"I know the entire country is grateful to you and everyone who has put their life on the line in the defense of our country."

Mayor Kris Wasowicz added, "We are very proud of your service. We are honored that you have served."
Lance Corporal Robertson served in Iraq in 2008 and then was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 where he served until he and two other Marines were injured when an IED exploded.
Lance Corporal Robertson is expected to receive a Purple Heart for his service and injuries.
With his wife Sheri and three-year-old daughter Alyssa at his side, and surrounded by friends and family, Robertson told the audience he was proud to accept their praise.

"The Board, the Mayor, myself and Congressman Lipinski continue to be in awe of the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in our armed services," said Village Trustee Kinga Bartoszek who spearheaded the recognition effort and reached out to Congressman Lipinski and Commissioner Murphy. Trustee Bartoszek has been actively gathering the names of Village of Justice Veterans since joining the Village Board in the summer of 2009.

Since she started this initiative Trustee Bartoszek has compiled a list of 70 Veterans affiliated with the Village of Justice. "I was astonished to learn that a community who will celebrate its 100th Anniversary next year had relatively no record or no tribute to the men and women who served and continue to serve our country," said Bartoszek. She said she remembered someone once saying "To never forget is to always remember." In that spirit Trustee Bartoszek donated the first ever Village of Justice Veterans Tribute that is located in the foyer of the Village Hall. She invited Congressman Lipinski, Lance Corporal Anthony Robertson, Mayor Wasowicz and Justice Veteran Don McGuire to help her with the official unveiling.

Following the event Bartoszek stated, "It is my hope that this tribute will continue to grow as more names are submitted of Village of Justice Veterans. I am especially thankful to Congressman Lipinski and Commissioner Murphy for making today's event even more memorable for Lance Corporal Robertson and his family. That was my goal as I embarked on this mission and I am happy to say that it was successful."

Since the July 26th recognition ceremony for Lance Corporal Anthony Robertson Trustee Bartoszek received notification from Congressman Lipinski's Washington, DC based office that the Congressman will enter Lance Corporal Anthony Robertson's service to our country into the official Congressional record