Operation Firm Handshake

Veterans helping veterans

Published by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 4:58pm

It’s become tradition for veterans from across Illinois to gather in Coal City each September. Unfortunately this year’s gathering to recognize military service men and women was postponed.
Operation Firm Handshake was set to host its 8th annual Illinois Veterans Picnic on Sept. 12, but with the on-going pandemic, organizers decided it was in the best interest of attendees to put a temporary hold on the popular picnic.

Picnic bringing veterans together

Published by admin on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 8:37pm

    A simple conversation over a couple of cold ones at the Coal City Area Club has turned into one of the largest celebrations of military veterans in the state of Illinois.
    It was on a summer day in 2013, when Joe Guereca mentioned to his buddy, Max Valdez, that he would like to have a picnic for local veterans, “or better yet, a picnic for all veterans and their family,” he went on to say.
    Valdez liked the idea and knew that with the right people helping, it would soon become a reality.