Politics & Government

Vernon Hills Welcomes Weinberg Home from Marines

Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne declared July 9 Ryan A. Weinberg Day in the village. Marine Lance Cpl. Weinberg is a 2011 graduate of Vernon Hills High School.

Just two years after graduating from Vernon Hills High School, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan Weinberg is being hailed a local hero for his military service.

Weinberg, who is preparing for two more years of active duty, was honored this week by Vernon Hills police, firefighters and village officials who thanked him for his service and declared July 9, 2013 as Ryan A. Weinberg Day in the village.

Weinberg displayed “courage and valor through his service to our nation,” said Mayor Roger Byrne, who read a proclamation honoring the serviceman and welcoming him home during the July 9 Village Board meeting. 

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“Thank you. We’re all proud of you,” Byrne said.

Vernon Hills resident Linda Weinberg gave a brief description of what her son and her family went through while he was deployed to a jump team from September to May.

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“He was on a special ops mission, stationed on ship, in the middle of an ocean. These were classified missions he was deployed to. We don’t know where he went, what he did, we didn’t know how long he would be gone. And we were one of the lucky families because we got to welcome our son home and hug him. We knew he was in harm’s way all the time,” she said.

She took the opportunity to hug her son again during the village’s recognition ceremony, telling him, “Welcome home son, thank you for your service, we are incredibly proud of you, and we love you.”

The ceremony was arranged by Vernon Hills Deputy Police Chief Jon Petrillo. He said it took some work to convince Weinberg to accept the village’s recognition.

“He did not want to be here because he said he felt he was just doing his job,” Petrillo said. 

“Unfortunately, three of his best friends were killed in action and they did not return,” Petrillo said, relaying a story that Weinberg shared with him during a previous conversation.

“Ryan, not only do I appreciate your humility to be here, but I appreciate your strength. I can’t imagine losing one of these [fellow police officers], and yet you are here after losing three. I just want you to know we appreciate your service, we appreciate the way that you carry yourself. You’re a young man and you impress us all.”

“You carry yourself with honor. You represent this country, the Corps., the great community of Vernon Hills and maybe most importantly, the Weinberg family,” Petrillo said.

Weinberg, dressed in fatigues, quietly thanked the village and his family for their support.

He will soon return to Camp Pendleton in California. But first, he’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some local food and shopping.

In addition to a plaque, Byrne presented Weinberg with gift cards to Olive Garden and Westfield Hawthorn mall.


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