Gallery

Check out our photos from our Thank You Veterans special section in Kendall County for 2025.

William Sutton joined the Marine Corps at age 18 and was deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan in September 2010 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Joey Martinez is the owner of The Barber Battalion, which is located at 123 W. Washington Street, Suite 106, in downtown Oswego.

Ken Ridgeway has a creed that he’s remained faithful to no matter his calling: give 110% in everything you do. He's lived that commitment as Plano High School groundskeeper, and carried that dedication overseas as a steam plant operator aboard ships in the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Matthew Dolmyer works for the commission as a veterans service officer/veterans court liaison. Helping fellow veterans is something that he feels compelled to do.

“Anytime we can bring people into our school to share things, the kids and the community benefit so much from it,” Shelley Schmidt said.

Brian Long had strong mentors growing up in his cross country coach and Spanish teacher. He’s taken their inspiration and run with it. Long is in his second school year at Sandwich as cross country and track coach. Long also is one of three multilingual teachers in the district.

Clarissa Cooper did not envision a career in teaching growing up, and she did not necessarily expect it to be in her hometown. Yorkville is sure happy to have her. The 2016 graduate is in her fourth full school year as a teacher and coach at her alma mater.

Read our letters submitted by students and parents in Kendall County for our 2025 Thank You Teachers special edition