Balloon Launch Commemorates Vietnam Veterans

For a few moments this afternoon, a small group gathered in front of Ela Town Hall in memory of veterans who were victims of agent orange.

It was the third year that Sunshine Roth, president of Silver Star Families of America and Lake Zurich resident, has held the event, but the first time it was held at Ela Town Hall. Each participant held an orange balloon as they said the "Pledge of Alligiance."

Each balloon represents a veteran who died due to exposure to agent orange. Nationwide orange balloons, butterflies or doves were launched into the sky today in similar recognition ceremonies. A complete list of participants is available at the Agent Orange Quilt of Tears website.

Roth started to participate in the program three years ago to honor her friend Georgiene's late husband and veteran Gene. She launched a single orange balloon near the lake by the South Shore mobile home park.

This year, Susan Kostner, Ela Township social worker, suggested Roth hold the launch at Ela Townhall. Kostner, Lucy Prouty, township supervisor; Bill Donnan, township clerk, Noonan,  Carolyn Trujillo and Anna Montemayor, social work interns at the township and Roth's grandsons, Martin Hustead, 11, and Jacob Hustead, 9, participated in the ceremony.

"Today marks the third annual Veteran's Day Agent Orange balloon release," said Roth, just before the balloons were launched. "On behalf of the Silver Star Families of America, I am proud and honored to recognize, remember and honor all Veterans who have lost their lives or are affectd by agent orange. Let us never forget them"

The balloons quickly and quietly rose past the American flag into the blue sky, filled with white clouds until they traveled out of sight. With that, the ceremony ended.

"This is a day that should be remembered," said Roth, whose husband Jay is a Vietnam Veteran.

Earlier, Roth helped send out 600 cards to veterans hospitals in 16 states so they would have them in time for Veteran's Day. In Illinois, the cards were sent to James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center, Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center and Hines V.A. Medical Center.

Silver Star Families of America accepts donations and has a store with items available to help support the cause of remembering and assisting wounded and ill veterans across the country.