Annually, the Cook County Board President and Board of Commissioners honors the Silver Star Families of America. This event was initiated in 2008 to recognize the service members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or became ill while serving in a war zone.
Residents are asked for assistance in identifying and honoring service members and veterans from Cook County who qualify to participate as outlined below.
For an application, click here
Silver Star Families of America define a wounded service member as any Armed Forces personnel either currently serving honorably or those who have served honorably from ANY war, who having served in a war zone, has been wounded by enemy action or who have been injured or contracted a serious illness that could be rated at least 10 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. All wounds, injuries or illnesses must have originated in a war zone, including: Purple Heart recipients, victims of friendly fire, injured in a war zone, and those who suffer from PTS, TBI, Agent Orange Effects and Gulf War Syndrome.