Gov. Blagojevich announces State of Illinois' June "Veteran of the Month"

OAK LAWN - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today named Oak Lawn resident Daniel T. Finn as the State of Illinois' June "Veteran of the Month" for his longtime commitment and dedication to helping the youth in the Chicagoland area and for co-founding the Patriotic Pillow Project to honor and thank every service member and their families throughout the country.

 

"All of our Veterans deserve to be honored and respected for their sacrifice.  But those who continue to be committed to their country after their service ought to have special recognition.  Like Daniel Finn, a man who continues to serve this country and who works very hard for his community by teaching special education, coaching and mentoring girls and boys, establishing an organization to personally thank all service men and women from around the country, and by dedicating his time and energy to several Veterans' organizations," said Gov. Blagojevich.

 

The Governor's "Veteran of the Month" award is a distinction that is given monthly to military Veterans who excel as community activists and work on behalf of other Veterans.  On behalf of the Governor and Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director L. Tammy Duckworth, IDVA Chief of Staff Stewart Reeve presented Daniel T. Finn with the award during a special ceremony today at the Veterans Memorial in Oak Lawn. 

 

"The ‘Veteran of the Month' award is a way for Governor Blagojevich and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to say ‘thank you' to some of the brave men and women who have served their country above and beyond the call of duty and continue to serve their community.  Daniel Finn was dedicated to his country as a Soldier in uniform, and now continues to be committed to serving the youth community and honoring his fellow comrades," IDVA Director L. Tammy Duckworth said.

 

Daniel T. Finn is a United States Army Vietnam Veteran.  In Vietnam, his unit was ambushed, and his track was struck by an R.P.G.  As a result of the attack, Mr. Finn sustained a traumatic limb loss.  Mr. Finn was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for his sacrifices.

 

After returning home from war, Mr. Finn decided not to let his injury dictate the course of his life, and he pursued his dream of becoming a teacher.  He earned his teaching degree and taught at several schools throughout the Chicago Public School System.  For 34 years Mr. Finn taught special education to students who suffer from learning disabilities and students who are educable mentally handicapped at the Carver Military Academy High School on the southeast side of Chicago.  He held positions as the special education case manager, the girl's softball coach, the athletic director, but most importantly, served as a mentor and role model for the students.  Mr. Finn taught the students the value of life and encouraged them not to succumb to any struggles that they may encounter.

 

At the time of their son's deployment to Iraq, Mr. Finn and his wife, Christina, decided to make it their mission to honor and personally thank all those who are serving and who have served this country.  The couple co-founded the Patriotic Pillow Project where today they send hand sewn pillows with personalized cards inside them to Veterans, Soldiers, and their families all over the world as a way to say "thank you" for their sacrifices.  To date, more than 6,000 pillows have been sent, and they will continue to send these pillows until every soldier has received one.

 

Mr. Finn is an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, the 25^th Infantry Division and the Combat Infantry Badge Association.  He holds positions as the northern regional representative for the MOPH and the Commander of his DAV chapter.  Mr. Finn has also participated in conferences with the DAV and the MOPH national organizations to lobby in Washington D.C. in order to educate elected officials about Veterans' and Military Family issues.

 

Daniel T. Finn has been married to Christina Finn for 28 years, has three children, Heather, Ryan and Shawn, and enjoys traveling, playing racquetball, swimming, reading, playing golf and watching the Cubs.

 

The "Veteran of the Month" award highlights the work of community activists who are also military veterans.  Each month, on behalf of Governor Blagojevich, the Department recognizes a different person or group that contributes to the betterment of communities across the state of Illinois.  To nominate a "Veteran of the Month," please visit IDVA's website at www.state.il.us/agency/dva or call IDVA at (312) 814-5391 to obtain a list of guidelines and a nomination form.