Community Corner
Get to Know: One of Oak Forest's Favorite Veterans and Most Dedicated Volunteers
You've seen his handiwork in the hallway at City Hall, or the display case. Or maybe you've spotted him on the scene of an Oak Forest emergency. We bet you know who we're talking about.
Joe Pletzke's wife Phyllis doesn't see him much.
The Army veteran hasn't slowed down since he left his job as a Buick technician in 1998. His days are packed with local volunteer duties for 's Emergency Management Association and Veterans Commission; if he's not in town, you might catch him at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. There he fires off his rifle three times as his part in a 21-gun salute—he has honored the burials of roughly 4,000 people in just over eight years.
For the last 44 years, his life has been centered in and around Oak Forest, and he doesn't plan to quit any time soon.
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"I enjoy it, I got buddies here," Pletzke told Patch.
Those pals are part of his American Legion post, or his parish of , where he serves as a part-time usher.
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He's on-call for the EMA, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—and has been for 13 years.
"I needed something to do," Pletzke said laughing, of the start of his roles in Oak Forest. "My wife's yelling at me because I'm always running around.
In his spare time, he dreamt up the , a visual tribute to Oak Forest's veterans. The board is on display in the foyer, and will soon be mounted in the hallway. Residents can browse the board during the city's .
He also makes the rounds in Oak Forest, pointing out tattered or worn United States flags, and politely asking that homeowners replace them. And he doesn't stop there.
He was appointed to the United States Selective Service Stand-By Draft Review Board. The review board was formed as a stand-by local board to review any deferments, in the occurence that a draft brought back in the future. Pletzke served two years of active duty and four years of reserve, from 1958–1964.
Some might consider Pletzke's volunteerism a full-time job in itself.
"My wife's always yelling at me because I'm always running around," Pletzke said, chuckling.
DON'T MISS 'S VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
When/Where: Saturday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. at
Do you know a veteran like Pletzke? Someone who has given back to his community? Someone who is a stand-out resident?
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