Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2, a local POW/MIA advocacy group, presented the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office with a “Chair of Honor” during a ceremony held on Thursday, April 24, in front of the McHenry County Courthouse.
The ceremony featured Sheriff Tadelman, Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2 President Ted Makarewicz, and Chairman Wayne Kirkpatrick, as well as other members of the organization. During the ceremony, speakers reflected on the significance of the chair, which symbolizes the loss of life and the unfinished stories of those who never returned home. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office was selected as a site for the Chair of Honor in recognition of its ongoing commitment to those who have served in the Armed Forces.
Following the ceremony, the Chair of Honor was permanently placed inside the Courthouse near the West Entrance staircase. The chair is accompanied by an American flag and a POW/MIA flag, along with a plaque detailing its significance. The chair was created through a partnership between National Rolling Thunder and the Hussey Seating Company.
The Chair of Honor is to remain perpetually empty to help people remember that even though our soldiers are not here, there is still a space for them. Rolling Thunder Inc. advocates for the more than 80,000 U.S. service members still listed as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA) since World War I.
Sheriff Tadelman said, “We are deeply honored to receive the POW/MIA Chair of Honor from Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2. This powerful symbol serves as a lasting reminder of the brave men and women who have yet to return home. We are grateful for Rolling Thunder’s dedication to ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Across the country, POW/MIA Chairs of Honor can be found in public spaces serving as powerful symbols of Rolling Thunder’s mission and our nation’s promise: “We will never forget.”
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