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91_SR0192
LRB9109068KBkbA
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Alfred "Al" Grajek of Worth,
4 Illinois, who passed away upon the grounds of the Abraham
5 Lincoln National Cemetery on the day of its dedication,
6 October 3, 1999; and
7 WHEREAS, Al Grajek served in the United States Army Air
8 Corps in World War II; he served in the China-Burma-India
9 theater during the War; and
10 WHEREAS, Mr. Grajek opened The Veteran's Barbershop in
11 the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago in 1948 and moved it to
12 Worth in 1970; former customers of the Roseland location
13 would travel to Worth to get a haircut and catch up on
14 stories with Mr. Grajek; and
15 WHEREAS, Al Grajek founded the local chapter of the
16 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Worth 23 years ago; from
17 1979 to 1980 he served as the commander of the local chapter;
18 he also was instrumental in organizing Veteran's Day and
19 Memorial Day observances in the community, starting the
20 Christmas in November program, and editing and printing a
21 chapter newsletter; and
22 WHEREAS, Al Grajek will be remembered for his leadership,
23 creativity, and incredible vision in his efforts to construct
24 and maintain the Eternal Flame Veterans Monument that stands
25 at 11th Street and Harlem Avenue in Worth; the monument has
26 five intertwining flames representing the five branches of
27 the armed services surrounded by a flowered walkway in the
28 shape of a forget-me-not; and
29 WHEREAS, Mr. Grajek also served as the past Illinois
30 State commander for the DAV, past commander of the
31 China-Burma-India Veterans Association, as a member of the
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1 Veterans of Foreign Wars for more than 50 years, as a member
2 of the American Legion Post 49 in Chicago, and a member of
3 the Polish-American Legion of Veterans for more than 50
4 years; Mr. Grajek was also named an Imperial Golden Rodent of
5 the National Order of Trench Rats, an honorary order of the
6 DAV; and
7 WHEREAS, Al Grajek is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his
8 daughter, Tania; his son, Alfred; and his brother, Joseph;
9 therefore, be it
10 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL
11 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
12 all who knew this proud and dedicated veteran of World War
13 II, the death of Al Grajek of Worth; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15 presented to the family of Al Grajek.