MICHAEL HOFF
(Nominated by Joyce Hoff)
Hines Veteran Affairs Hospital
May 3, 2011
Michael is a Viet Nam Veteran who was severely injured in Viet Nam. His story is this: On Oct. 31st, 1967 he was riding on a personnel carrier that went over a grenade which exploded. The men he was with were all killed. He was thrown against the machine gun, hit his head and fell off breaking his back and legs. He was flown to Walter Reed hospital in Washington where he lived for one year recuperating. He was never able to work again or drive or live a normal life due to his constant seizures. His life was transformed to a disabled veteran and when you ask him how he handled all of this he responds with “I was just doing my job and I love my country”. He wishes that he could have saved all his men that day, his only regret. He resides at Hines VA hospital and has just survived stomach cancer. He is our hero!
Angie Zucchero has been a police officer, with the Burr Ridge Police Department, since January 1990. Her accomplishments include, after only 9 months on the job, being the department’s first D.A.R.E.(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer, being instrumental in starting a Citizen Police Academy, and also in implementing department’s policies on the handling of Juveniles and Crime Prevention leading to the department’s achievement of their Certificate of Accreditation. In 1992, Angie was the first police officer within her agency and the first policewoman in Dupage County to receive the Award of Valor. Angie has selflessly served her department with pride, honor, and the personal conviction that the citizens she has vowed to serve and protect receive her best efforts, no matter what the situation. The relationships she has built with the citizens of all ages – youth to senior citizens, schools, and community organizations are strong and far-reaching. She has been involved in many Law Enforcement organizations, sitting as a board member within many of these organizations, to build ties and relationships with other agencies to share knowledge and resources for the betterment of all communities. I believe that Angie truly has given of herself for her community as a career first responder, and would represent not only her community, but Law Enforcement, and not least of all, herself with great pride and dignity. She would be truly moved with such an honor as this to be included in stitching The National 9/11 Flag.
Matt Charlier has been actively recruiting volunteers and leading the Warriors Watch Riders’ activities for the Northern Illinois Region as the State Captain over the last two years. He spends hours each week coordinating the Website communication to provide support and recognition for our Illinois soldiers and their families as they return home from overseas. Matt finds ride captains to participate in as many welcome home escorts as possible and also supports families when requested during their very difficult time when they have lost a loved one and would like an escort and flag line at the funeral services. He has established many great relationships with community leaders, fire and police professionals and other veteran support groups to ensure that the escorts safe and successful for all. Matt does this on his own time and at his own cost. No Warrior Watch Riders accept any monetary compensation for the organization, all do this out of patriotism and appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have given for all of us. For his dedication to others and support of our veterans and country, Matt truly deserves the privilege of stitching the National 9/11 Flag.
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.
My husband Bob Hoff, Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Dept, will tell you that he is just a firefighter. He has saved many lives during his career. There have been two rescues for which he received the Carter Harrison Award, the city’s highest award for firefighting valor and he is the only person to receive this twice. Upon hearing the 9/11 tragedy on the radio, he recruited firefighters to head out to New York the next day to help his New York City brothers and sisters. They stayed until they were no longer needed. When hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans he put together a team and headed out to help anyone in need. They stayed two weeks helping anyone they could. He was severely burned in a fire in 1984 and flown via helicopter to the burn unit at University of Chicago hospital where he stayed for one month enduring painful treatment and procedures. He couldn’t wait to get back on the job to do it all over again. His father was also on the Chicago Fire Dept and was killed on the job in a fire when Bob was five years old. He has vowed to save everyone he can and he has done his best to do that. If you were to ask him if he thinks of himself as a hero, he would look at you sternly and say “I was only doing my job”. That to me is a hero.
Alex is an American hero for many reasons. In the United States Air Force, Alex was assigned to the 824th Security Forces Squadron, 820th Security Forces Group. This specialized unit trained to conduct rapid deployment missions to protect US Air Force assets in combat zones, providing a unique mission of combat ready squadrons. Alex initially was trained as a heavy weapons gunner and in 2005, deployed to Kirkuk Iraq for six months. In Iraq He was a .50cal turret gunner for the Air base’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and conducted missions to eliminate anti-coalition forces before they could launch indirect fire onto the base. Upon return from Iraq, Alex trained as the squadron Radio Telephone Operator, a vital position to ensure communication is established to all ground combat Security Forces at deployed locations. Alex was assigned as a Fire team member for the Security Forces squadron. He was deployed again to Kirkuk, Iraq from December 2009 – June 2010 alongside his wife Nicole, also a USAF Security Forces member. Alex is now a Special Agent with the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, where he investigates and prevents fraud, waste and abuse in SSA Programs. In addition, Alex is a strong supporter of American made products. 
Chuck is a military veteran who proudly served in the Air Force from 1978-1982. He is currently working at Hines Hospital in project planning. There is no overwhelming story to tell; he’s just a man who loves his family and his country and receives fulfillment working at a place where he can give back to his military brethren in the best way he can. It would be a great honor to put stitches in this wonderful symbol of America and its Spirit.
Al Henderson has volunteered many hours to the citizens of Ellijay and Gilmer County, Georgia, by his promotion of family oriented, clean fun and enjoyment of Bluegrass music, free of charge to anyone who wanted to hear it, for the past seven years. He has also given tirelessly to the production of the entertainment portion of the rebuilding of a tornado-ravaged barn used for rescue animals, run by Susan Littlejohn of the Build An Ark Foundation. The barn site is in Ellijay, GA, Al’s hometown. I feel that Al’s service over the past many years to the community and his dedication to the “Build an Ark makes him a prime candidate for this great honor. The 30th, will be his and Dana’s 34th wedding anniversary date. They chose to take part of this event instead of taking a trip. Dana would love for this to be his present on their anniversary, AND, for their children and grandchildren who are our future American Generations. GOD BLESS OUR AMERICA 
SSGT Jim Wilson has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 5 times. After 9/11 and after the death of Lt. Noah Harris, he became a truly determined warrior/ hero for his country. In all that he does, he is steadfast, loyal, and devoted to the defense of America. Although Jim may long for a normal mountain life like his many friends, he is one man who will sacrifice everything for his countrymen.
