Dozens of local men died in Vietnam. Their sacrifices are still felt

For many Americans, the Vietnam War was a defining and divisive chapter in history. It was the first war broadcast directly into living rooms on television, exposing the nation to its brutal realities.

Sadly, unlike veterans of later conflicts, many Vietnam veterans returned home without a hero’s welcome. Instead, they often sought to quietly rebuild their lives, haunted by the horrors they had seen.

Illinois lost an estimated 2,936 men in Vietnam – the sixth-highest toll among all states. Dozens were from local communities, and their sacrifices continue to resonate with family and friends.

Twenty men from Joliet died in the war, including Marine Lance Cpl. John Lewis, 20. His father had served in World War II. Lewis was killed on Feb. 17, 1968, during a search-and-destroy mission in