Coal City veteran selected for state honor

     The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Bicentennial Office have announced the recipients of Bicentennial HONOR 200, and the honorees include a Korean War veteran from Coal City.
    Bicentennial Honor 200 honors the work of 200 veterans from across the state who continue to make extraordinary contributions to the people of Illinois.
    “America is the greatest nation on earth because of the sacrifice of our veterans,” said Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.
    John “Jack” Micetich is among the honorees, and the only veteran to be selected from Grundy County.
    Micetich is a life member of St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars and has served as the Post quartermaster. He chairs the Community Veterans Memorial Committee and is founder and past chairman of the Post Scholarship Committee. Additionally, he has served as the delegate and alternate delegate for Post 1336 to the Grundy County Veteran’s Assistance Commission (VAC).
    “HONOR 200 provides us with an opportunity to showcase our veterans and the values they have when it comes to serving our communities,” said Stephen Curda, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Recipients represent more than 50 counties across the state of Illinois. Nominees were evaluated based on their achievements, and on the extent to which their contributions have aided, benefited and provided inspiration to their community at large. Honorees must also have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military and reside in the state.
    “We are proud to honor these 200 men and women as part of our Bicentennial celebration. Their service didn’t stop when they took off their uniforms. They continue to be heroes among us by going above and beyond the call of duty to take care of the people in their communities,” Rauner said.
    Micetich and his fellow HONOR 200 recipients have been invited to the state’s official 200th birthday celebration at the United Center in Chicago on Dec. 3.
    “The Bicentennial HONOR 200 campaign is one of the most important commemorations of the yearlong Bicentennial celebration. These 200 Illinois veterans truly make Illinois proud,” said Stuart Layne, executive director of the Bicentennial Commission.