Rdtf
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Joined: 13 May 2004
Posts: 2209
Location: BUSHville
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 Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject: Vietnam Vet Loses Son in Iraq, then House to Fire |
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http://www.dailyherald.com/search/printstory.asp?id=138557
| Quote: | Family loses son in Iraq, then house to fire
By Marni Pyke
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Vietnam War veteran Jesse Alcozer isn’t used to asking for help.
But a series of traumas — the death of his son in Iraq, protests by a hate group at the funeral and a fire that left the Alcozer family homeless — proved too much to endure.
“We just need a little bit of help,” said Alcozer, his voice breaking during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is organizing a fundraising effort to assist the Elmhurst family. The Alcozers’ rental house went up in flames Dec. 27 when a candle burning in a shrine for U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Alcozer set his picture on fire.
The only spot of good news was that firefighters rescued medals belonging to Christopher and the flag that had draped his coffin.
Judy Alcozer, above, is consoled by Jan Vanek, Elmhurst city council member, during a press conference Monday.(Tanit Jarusan/Daily Herald)
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, left, helps launch a fundraiser for the Alcozers family in front of their burned out home. Jesse Alcozer, holds on to the flag given to the family after his son, Christopher, died in Iraq. The flag was one of the few things rescued from the fire.
“It’s a part of my son. It means a lot,” Alcozer said.
The family is temporarily staying at a hotel, but money is tight.
Alcozer, who is disabled as a result of being wounded seven times in Vietnam, lost his job some months ago, and his veterans benefits were cut 20 percent just before Christopher’s death Nov. 19.
The Community Bank of Elmhurst has set up a fund to help the Alcozers, who didn’t have renter’s insurance, get back on their feet.
Quinn appealed for donations, saying even a dollar is important.
“When something bad happens to one of us, the entire Illinois community comes together,” Quinn said.
Firefighters estimated the damage to the 1880s frame house on North Michigan Avenue in eastern Elmhurst at $100,000.
Members of the Alcozer family, including two young grandchildren, were relaxing and watching a movie together around 9 p.m. Dec. 27 when the fire struck.
“The next thing we knew, the fire alarm went off,” said Judy Alcozer, Jesse’s wife.
She tried to extinguish the flames, but the fire spread too rapidly.
“I prayed that we all got out alive,” Jesse Alcozer said.
While watching the destruction, the couple told emergency workers about the flag and medals. Firefighters Eric Burmeister and Kevin Cwirla, who is a retired National Guard staff sergeant, hurried to salvage them.
“His son gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we hoped we could alleviate the pain,” Cwirla said.
“The good Lord has a way of doing things,” Alcozer said.
The family is steeped in military history. Jesse’s father and grandfather served, and he has two sons enlisted.
Christopher grew up hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
“My son always believed in America,” Jesse said.
Christopher attended Willowbrook High School in Villa park, where he was on the wrestling team and played in the orchestra.
He died at age 21 during a skirmish in the town of Mosul, Iraq, while his unit was looking for suspected terrorists holed up in a house, Jesse said.
Christopher was fatally shot while covering other soldiers as they removed the wounded.
“He couldn’t walk away. He stood his ground. He wanted to make sure his Army friends got out alive,” Alcozer said. “At the last minute he was killed.”
Adding to the family’s grief were protesters who demonstrated outside the funeral with signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”
The group has targeted military burials, contending that the deaths of soldiers are divine retribution for society’s toleration of homosexuals.
The experience was unbelievably hurtful, Alcozer said.
“Can’t people just stay away?” he said. “For someone to come and protest … it’s just too painful.”
Quinn, who got to know the family after Christopher’s death, is spearheading legislation to keep protesters away from mourners at funerals.
The family’s plight drew the sympathy of Yorkville retirees Walter and Kathe Evers.
Although on a limited income, the two showed up to donate to the fund.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Walter Evers said.
Sentiments like that are worth as much as the money, Alcozer said.
“I’m a little happier because the community cares.” |
For donations:
Jesse Alcozer Family Fund
Community Bank of Elmhurst
c/o Nancy Brook
330 W. Butterfield Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126 |
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