A Special Presentation from a Special Guest

On Friday, September 21, Park Ridge Rotary Club members were especially pleased to welcome home Dan Wessberg who had been serving in Afghanistan since the beginning of the year. Dan is the husband of Nancy Swales' daughter, Geri. For many years Dan and Bill Swales had engaged in friendly bantering regarding the relative merits of the U.S. Air Force vs. the U.S. Marine Corps. Friday, Dan brought with him a very special tribute to his father-in-law.

The framed certificate from the United States Marine Corps 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD), presented to the Park Ridge Rotary Club in memory of Col. Willis Swales reads:

This certifies that the accompanying United States flag was flown over the battleground of 3d Marine Aircraft Wing(Forward) at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan guarded by United States Marines, Sailors, and Multi-National Coalition Forces during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on the 17th day of August 2012.

Club President Joeen Ciannella was most appreciative in accepting the flag and the certificate from Dan. We are all so grateful for Dan's service, his safe return and his thoughtfulness in honoring his father-in-law and our highly respected fellow Rotarian in this way.