9/11 Memorial Event Open To All Lake County Residents

“It was the kids’ idea to try and fill a football stadium with people to honor those who serve our country every day,” said Michele Bauman, Cub Master of Pack #91 in Grayslake. “With the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, we want to be sure those serving know how proud we are of them, and that they are not forgotten.”

The countywide event started out as a going away party for Ira Fain, FC1 (Petty Officer First Class) in the U.S. Navy, who is the Den Leader for his son Cyrus’ Cub Scout Pack in Grayslake. Ira is being deployed to Afghanistan in late September.

Then Cub Master Bauman realized there are other parents serving in the war and back here at home, and so thought, why not honor them all?

“They’re risking their lives for us. We want to help show that the whole community is behind them,” Bauman said. “Once the word got out, we had villages, school districts, and local businesses all wanting to participate to help out. Both the Grayslake and Hainesville Mayors are showing their support. Everyone has the same question…‘As regular Americans, what can WE do?'”

The event to honor military men and women coincides with the 10th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11.

Lake County families are invited to support the event by donating and by attending the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Grayslake North High School’s stadium, 1925 N. Route 83 in Grayslake.

With so many military husbands and wives left at home to keep the households going all alone, Ira’s wife Hillary suggests, “People offering a friendly ‘hello’, an offer to help with carpool or babysitting, or even just a visit to the home for some adult socialization really helps a lot.”

Ira and Hillary Fain have three kids, and live in Grayslake. Hillary will be responsible for getting their kids to three different schools this year as well. Their oldest daughter Ezuire will attend Grayslake Middle School, their son Cyrus will attend Frederick, and their youngest daughter Krystell will attend Prairieview.

“I guess what people don’t think about is the little things I’ll have to do alone now, like cutting the grass, taking three kids different places at the same time, and other things a spouse usually helps out with,” Hillary said. “Many military families are apart from their support systems. For example, both my husband’s and my families live in Washington State, so we had to make our own support system here in Grayslake. I really recommend military families get involved in their communities as much as possible.”

With her husband’s deployment only a few weeks away, the Fains decided to spend their time together with family. They took a road trip to see family in Washington State, visiting Yellow Stone, Mt. Rushmore, Seattle, and Little Big Horn.

“One of the benefits of being a military family, however, is that our kids get the opportunity to travel and see so much of the country,” Hillary said.

Checks can be made out to Boy Scout Pack #91 and sent to Michele Bauman, 412 Gatewood Lane, Grayslake, IL 60030. If you have questions or want to donate food or other items, call 847-514-7087.