This is not the Pack42 website.

Nor is THIS.

Technical note: I have just learned that some of these pages do not display photos for some browsers. I will fix that at a later time. All pages work with Internet Explorer.

Sergeant John Penich was killed in Afghanistan. On the evening of October 27, 2008, Cub Scouts from Pack 42 assisted during his visitation in Beach Park:

Specialist Joey Dimmock was killed in Afghanistan. In the afternoon of July 19, 2010, Cub Scouts from Pack 42 and Boy Scouts from Troop 42 assisted during his visitation in Wildwood:

Specialist Andrew Wade was killed in Afghanistan. On March 19^th and 20^th, 2011, Cub Scouts from Pack 42 and Troop 42 and Daisies, Brownies and Girl Scouts will assist during his visitation in Antioch:

Andrew was a very good soccer player at Antioch High School, where he graduated in 2008. A year later when he became a soldier, he was the fifth generation of his family to serve in our army.

Every Cub Scout makes this promise: “I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.”

That is what Andrew did by serving in our military and that is what the Cub Scouts of Pack 42 can do by assisting at his visitation in Antioch this weekend, the 19^th and 20^th.

The location is the Strang Funeral Home in Antioch, located on Route 83 just north of route 173. (1055 Main Street) We may hold the doors or we may just stand with American flags (that will be supplied at the funeral home) to show respect and to honor Andy.

The visitation will go from 2:00 until 8:00 on Saturday and from 1:00 until 6:00 on Sunday. Check-in with the “Ride Captain” at the front door. Come anytime and leave anytime. Any participation will earn a patch (shown below) that will be presented at a ceremony during our April pack meeting:

This is a wonderful community service opportunity and a chance to teach our scouts that freedom isn’t free. Let’s pray for Andrew and hope for a big presentation ceremony on April 15^th.

UPDATE Tuesday, March 15, 2011:

Flags all across the country flew at half-staff because Frank Buckles was buried in Arlington National Cemetery today. He was the last “doughboy” – the last American World War One veteran. I remember years ago watching the Lake Bluff Fourth of July Parade and seeing old men sitting in the back seat of a passing convertible that bore a sign saying they were WWI vets. There will never be another WWI vet in a parade anywhere.

Also today, Andrew Wade returned home for the last time. A small jet landed at the Waukegan airport and his casket was transferred to a hearse. I was riding one of the motorcycles that would lead the hearse to Antioch. As we left the airport we passed the H.R. McCall Elementary School. All the Cub Scouts and their classmates lined the side of the street. Many held American flags. They watched very quietly as we slowly passed.

Then we traveled 16 miles to Andrew’s home. Police led the way. About halfway through our trip, a “flyover” was performed by a small plane making smoke just 300 feet overhead. Sometimes flyovers are performed above the cemetery during military funerals, but it is very unusual to have one as the soldier is first returning. But the pilot arranged to do it because Andrew was a very good soldier.

When we got very close to the funeral home, we went past Andrew’s high school. He was a very good soccer player and he graduated in 2007. So most of the student there now didn’t know him, but they all came out to watch him pass by.

And then we reached the funeral home. It looks like a big, white house. The pilot flew low over the high school next door and over the funeral home and then he went home.

Andrew is resting inside the big, white house. This weekend on Saturday and Sunday, his many friends will visit him there. Cub Scouts from Lake Bluff and other places will be standing outside holding American flags so that everyone will know that Andrew Wade was a very important person.

On Thursday morning, I received and email that was sent to all Illinois PGR members about parking for the visitation:

All PGR Members arriving for the visitation of Spc. Andrew Wade are to refrain from parking in the Strang Funeral Home lots.

Antioch High School has given the PGR permission to park in the staff parking lot behind the High School, at the end of Bishop St. This parking lot is entered and exited from Chestnut Street.

Unless otherwise directed, this lot is specifically designated for PGR motor vehicles.

Those with handicapped parking placards may park in handicapped areas of the funeral home or high school as needed.

I made the following map to indicate the location described in that email.

Saturday from 2 until 8

Sunday from 1 until 6

Mike Tobie played soccer with Andrew for many years.

He is shown here flanked by Lake Bluff Cub Scouts.

newspaper story of his return home

the Patriot Guard webpage for Andrew

my webpage for Andrew