By Mark Rhoads -
On Sept. 11, 2001, Naperville, Illinois native Navy Capt. Dan Shanower (at left below) was killed at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into his office. When we remember what we are thankful for, Memorial Day is not the only day to remember our fellow citizens who serve in uniform and sacrifice their lives for our liberties.
Between 2001 and 2012, Illinois lost about 248 service members to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thirty-four of those service members were members of the Illinois National Guard, ranging in age from 19 to 59. Here are some of their faces:
