WM. THOMAS HOLGAN
(Nominated by Leeanne Holgan)
The Catholic Club
September 5, 2011
Tom is my husband, and is the most selfless person I know. I met him in 1970, 2yrs after he returned from Viet Nam where he received the Purple Heart. He has supported our family emotionally and financially, never asking for anything in return. When my mom became ill with cancer, he suggested that she live with us and we cared for her for 18 months. He has worked 2 jobs throughout much of our lives. I am a NY Massage Therapist, and when 9/11 happened, I knew I needed to do something. He supported me by saying “go, do what you need to do.” I put my practice, marriage and life on hold, and returned each day to ground zero for 6 months while he supported us on his own, never complaining. Since then, he has been there for me, over and over again. I’ve been very sick, emotionally as well as physically and he’s taking care of me again. I’ve not been able to work since 9/11 due to panic attacks, and asthma and he emotionally supports me. I don’t know what I would do without him. I would be so grateful if he were chosen to stitch the National 9/11 flag.
My Dad is a hero to me and to many other people in Michigan. My Dad started a career in law enforcement in 1976, working at the City of Troy and City of Pontiac police departments. In 1978, my Dad joined the state police. He served all over the state, and was promoted to Detective Trooper in 1985. He worked undercover for three years with a drug enforcement team in Detroit. He was then promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Upper Peninsula. In 1994 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant, and transferred to Grand Rapids and then Lansing to serve at Headquarters. While my Dad was a Detective Sergeant, he earned his Juris Doctor law degree by going to law school part-time in the evenings. He was also a defensive tactics instructor, teaching other police officers how to defend themselves, he also taught legal classes at the state police academy. In 1999, my Dad had an accident that seriously injured his back. He was forced to accept a disability retirement which ended his 26 year career in law enforcement, but he did not stop serving our community. My Dad was then appointed Chief Assistant rosecuting Attorney in a northern Michigan county, and served as a prosecutor in three different counties before retiring ten years later. My Dad spent his entire life serving the citizens of Michigan and he is truly a Service Hero.
Zachary is my husband and a veteran of the Iraq war. He is the most patriotic man that I have ever known and served his country because of his deep and humbled appreciation of those that have served before him. He is always trying to look for new ways to contribute to our country. Although he has served his time in the Army already, he still looks forward to graduating from college and seeing what his country needs from him in the future.
Sergeant Michael Fluhart has served proudly with the Farmington Hills Police Department for the past 22 years. He has been recognized as the Officer of the Year and received multiple awards and citations for his conduct that has been considered going above and beyond the call of duty. Michael Fluhart also serves as a Sergeant with the US National Guard for over 17 years. He has served two tours of duty in combat overseas in Iraq and Bosnia and has received numerous awards and recognition for his service. Sergeant Fluhart has continuously sacrificed his safety and his family for the American people to protect the freedom and liberties of the United States of America.
Jerry works with Blinded Vets everyday. He makes sure that the vets have everything that they need, even a great friendship. He makes every Vet feel that they can do anything they set their minds to do. I feel that Jerry is a great candidate for the stitching of the National 9/11 flag because of his dedication to his country and to his fellow Vets.
Hank Schmalen did many tours in Vietnam and since has become a leader in his community by devoting himself to the city of Chicago as a Catholic Deacon who also works with homeless shelters in the Chicago area. He has been a member of the Sears Company for over 30 years and was honored to carry the flag on the field of the Chicago Cubs home opener in 2011.
Ralph Zaccariello, a member of the North Riverside, Illinois Fire Department, deserves our respect and thanks for his role in ensuring that the annual 9/11 memorial ceremony in North Riverside remains a part of our heritage. Over the past five years, Ralph has not only coordinated all aspects of the annual 9/11 memorial, but expanded it to pay tribute to today’s first responders. The North Riverside 9/11 ceremony is appropriately titled “A Celebration of Heroes”. Ralph feels that the past is best respected by combining this sacred 9/11 remembrance with a steadfast focus on today and tomorrow. The lessons learned will serve as a touchstone for all of us as well as all future generations of Americans.
Jerry served his country in the Army – Special Forces. After leaving the Army, he went into Law Enforcement, including as a Narcotics / Homicide Detective who worked to rid the streets of illegal activity, and solved homicide cases to protect our streets. He also received many awards as a D.A.R.E. Officer to help children make positive life choices. With the company he now owns, he remains steadfast in his commitment to helping Veterans, coaching many of them as they look to begin businesses and make a difference in their lives. He has received much recognition for all he has done, including the SBA Veteran Business Champion of the Year, and the Ancient Order of the Chamorri from the Governor of Guam. He also continues to encourage students of all ages to realize that they have the tools to be successful in their lives, no matter their goals or situations. Because he has devoted his life to change and selfless service – within his community, state, and nation, I believe Jerry would be an excellent candidate, and would be truly humbled, to be part of this honorable event.
For many years, Riverside, Illinois resident, Tom Sisulak, would accompany his father, Frank Sisulak, to the Riverside Memorial Day ceremony. Frank, a WWII Army veteran, served in the African theater building army field hospitals for our troops. Shortly before the 2009 Memorial Day ceremony, Tom received a call telling him to not bring Frank to the ceremony because it had been cancelled. Tom could not let that happen to his Dad. Tom organized the event himself and took his Dad to the 2009 ceremony. As Tom was finalizing plans for the 2010 ceremony, Frank passed away at the age of 101. Tom continued on with the 2010 ceremony in memory of his Dad and all of Riverside’s veterans. What about the 2011 Memorial Day ceremony? Tom will lead the ceremony once again. Tom and Frank wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you, Tom Sisulak.
Robert L. Smith, Jr. has been an active volunteer for over 30 years, especially when it comes to supporting our troops and veterans. He has had a leadership role in the Special Forces Association Chapter 37 in Chicago, the Rolling Meadows Veteran’s commission, Lisa Madigan’s Veteran’s Committee, Illinois Veteran’s Foundation, the original Welcome Home parade and 10 year anniversary parades for Desert Storm, and Chicago’s Vietnam Veteran memorial over the last decade. He founded the Veteran’s Commission in Orland Park and led the efforts for the Memorial. Bob is a life time member of the VFW, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. Most recently, in addition to his focus on the Rolling Meadows veterans, he has helped to build the efforts of the Warrior’s Watch Riders as the WWR Regional Director for the Mountain States. As a Senior Corps member and RSVP volunteer and advisor for The Volunteer Center of NW Suburban Chicago, he has logged thousands of hours of direct communication and volunteer efforts directly related to supporting and recognizing the sacrifices of our troops and their families, both past and present. For his constant dedication and love for those who choose to serve our country, Bob truly has earned the right to place a stitch in the National 9/11 Flag as part of the National tour. 
