Remembering 9/11 in the Home of Proud Americans

Scott Kolb, a New Lenox resident whose son Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following 9/11, recalls the sense of country that reverberated through America, and especially in New Lenox.

"There really seemed to be a really large wave of patriotism here," he said. "It affected a lot of young people in our community. There’s a great deal of kids in my neighborhood in the military."

Kolb has two other sons, so he's talked with lots of young men and women who, even if they never enlisted in the armed forces, share that patriotism. He said they take the nickname "Home of Proud Americans" very seriously.

"That's the thing about the Village of New Lenox, in the Home of Proud Amerians," Mayor Tim Baldermann said during a Veterans Day speech in 2010. "We appreciate our veterans every single day."

That's true; a month doesn't go by here without a celebrated soldier returning home or a parade to honor the veterans. Whether it's hosting the , giving back in the U.S. or , there's a lot in this community that's done to say thanks for that ultimate sacrifice.

On Sept. 11, 2011, we remember the victims lost 10 years ago, but we also reflect on the aftermath of that day, the heroes born since and the loved ones lost. This week, we told some of those stories on New Lenox Patch and other Patch sites in the area.

We also partnered with The Huffington Post and Patch sites across the country to tell the stories of 911 different people who were impacted by 9/11. Taken together they create a powerful mosaic that is large in scope but often deeply personal. Click through to see how your neighbors near and far marked the day.

And click the links below to revisit our coverage:

Local Stories

More From the Region