The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 49

Pantagraph Saturday, May 27, 2006 Memorial Day gets personal Show to feature hosts' relatives By Lynn Elber ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES When Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise host Sunday's annual "National Memorial Day Concert" in Washington they'll have special guests on hand: relatives who served in World War II. "I'm going to be bringing my Uncle Jack this year," Sinise said, referring to 83-year-old Jack Sinise, who flew 30 missions over Germany as a B-17 navigator. Mantegna's guest of honor is his uncle, William Novelli, also 83, who was part of, Gen. George S. Patton's Third Army and is among several World War II veterans in Mantegna's family.

They are just two of the many men and women whose military service deserves the nation's attention and thanks, the actors said. Memorial Day, Mantegna said, "very easily becomes one of those holidays that you put in your head as, 'Oh, what are we going to do Memorial Day weekend? We're going to have a barbecue, maybe watch the Indianapolis 500 "Or the ball game," interjected Sinise. "Unless there's some immediate relative that draws your attention to the meaning of the holiday it's very easy to forget," Mantegna said. "I would hope that people come away from the concert thinking, 'Wow, so this is what the holiday is This year's program, airing p.m. on PBS, will focus on Air Force pilots as the military branch marks its 60th anniversary, and on those in the National Guard, including four Louisiana National Guard soldiers killed in Iraq.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was established in the 19th century to honor those killed in the Civil War but later grew to. encompass all who died in combat. It is officially observed on the last Monday in May. The concert, held on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol and in its 17th year, typically draws a crowd of 300,000 and is watched by as many as 10 million viewers on public television stations, making it one of PBS' highest- rated performance bered 95,000, he said.

"As the greatest generation is really getting into their later years, it's important to understand and know about that sacrifice." Colbert said. For the National Guard, the burden its members are carrying at home and abroad made their recognition especially important, Colbert said. He rejected the idea that the concert is at all different because America is at war in Iraq. "Every year we're trying to honor and remember the sacrifices people have made at home and abroad in time of war," Colbert said. But, he added, the ongoing conflict has increased public consciousness of military contributions.

Mantegna said he hopes that people can separate their opinion of the war from their spect for the troops. "I'm very adamant when I'm talking to people about this concert to let them know, 'Look, don't confuse it with being any sort of political statement one way or he said. "This not about politics or about who's right or wrong. It's about supporting" those in service. "As Joe said, it's not a political statement about the le war," Sinise added.

"We're honoring all veterans who have sacrificed throughout the history of this country. It's important to remember that what we have here has been paid for, paid for with human life." Neither Mantegna or "CSI: New York" star Sinise are veterans, but both have been long active in supporting veterans' groups and causes. Sinise and his Lt. Dan band (named for his role as a military officer in the film "Forrest perform on USO tours. Mantegna, a stage and film actor who co-starred series "Joan of Arcadia," stepped in as host of the Memorial Day concert last year after the death of Ossie Davis, inviting Sinise to perform for that show and to join him as host this year.

There are some in the entertainment industry who cite politics in declining to take part, Mantegna said. "All I can say is that everybody who has participated has come away with a very positive feeling of having done it, and it turning out to be much more than they anticipated," he said. 'Survivor' winner lied to get time off work ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBUS, Ohio A former winner on "Survivor" lied to get time off from his job as a state highway worker to join a promotional tour for the reality TV show in Europe last year, an investigation found. Chris who won the ninth season of the CBS show, filed a false claim that he needed time off because he was under stress and suffering from depression, an Ohio Department of Transportation hearing officer ruled Thursday. He landed the $1 million prize in 2004.

for "Survivor: Vanuatu Islands of Fire," but returned to his $34,000 a year job with ODOT, working on roads in central Ohio. But Daugherty could face penalties ranging from reprimand to dismissal, ODOT spokesman Andrew Gall said. "Daugherty's claim that he had an ill- Associated CONCERTS Gary Sinise performs at the 2005 "National Memorial Day Concert" in Washington, D.C. Sinise and Joe Mantegna will host Sunday's annual "National Memorial Day Concert" airing on PBS. shows each year.

The program also is carried by National Public Radio and in more than 135 countries on American Forces Radio and Television Network. Sunday's performers will include country singers Lee Ann Womack and the duo Big Rich; actors Charles Durning and Dianne Wiest; opera singer Frederica von Stade; Daniel Rodriguez, the singing ex-New York police officer; and Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra. Ret. Gen. Colin Powell will take part, along with the U.S.

Army Chorus and Army Chorale; the Army Herald Trumpets; Air Force Singing Sergeants; Navy Sea Chanters and an Armed Forces Color Guard. Durning, a longtime concert participant, is himself a WWII veteran who earned a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. The Oscar-nominated actor will recount the story of Corbin Willis who survived nearly 80 missions in World War II and Korea and was a prisoner of war. The concert's emphasis on the 1940s-era pilots and the National Guard combines a respect for the past and the present, said supervising producer Michael Colbert. During the war against Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy, more than half of U.S.

aircraft were lost and crew casualties num- off work ness which just happened to coincide in the armed services because the with his 'Survivor' tour is simply not "Survivor" tour was scheduled to visit a credible," wrote ODOT chief investigator military base in Germany. Les Reel. "What would George Bush think of the After his requests for time off were de- Ohio Department of Transportation givnied, he submitted a false doctor's excuse ing me a hard time to support our troops saying he was suffering from anxiety and overseas?" asked Daugherty. depression and needed a month of med- ODOT officials said Daugherty acical leave, ODOT's investigation found. knowledged afterward to investigators Daugherty said Friday that a doctor that he used the time off to attend the suggested he take time off to combat CBS-sponsored "Survivor" tour in Gerstress.

many and Italy last Sept. 25 through Oct. "I was stressed out, depressed, worried 8, for which he was paid $8,000. He took about my job, worried about my contract an additional two weeks off after the tour with CBS," he said. "I lost 30 pounds and before returning to work, ODOT records had anxiety and fatigue." show.

ODOT said Daugherty's initial re- Daugherty said ODOT has offered disquests were refused because he had al- ciplinary action of 15 days if he agrees ready used all but 29 hours of his vaca- not to file a grievance. tion days, sick leave and personal time. "I said no deal," he said. "I'm fighting Officials said he also submitted a request it. I survived Vanuatu.

I'll survive for military leave despite never being ODOT." AIDS benefit raises more than $4 million ASSOCIATED PRESS MOUGINS, France A glitzy benefit dinner on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival brought in more than $4 million for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, or amfAR, organizers said Friday. Host Sharon Stone opened the bidding Thursday and sold off two Louis Vuitton vanity cases that she designed herself, bring- Got an opinion? WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR EARN MORE! 5.05% 182 Day CD with $25,000 Deposit Call 1-877-899-1913 or stop by today! 2401 E. Washington, Bloomington tate, LANAGAN BANK Member FDIC Benson, Bloomington, El Paso, Flanagan, and Le Ro Percentage Yield Rate subject to change without notice. CENTRAL ILLINOIS Funerals today LaVerda Benway SIBLEY La Verda Benway, 94, Sibley, died at 8:42 a.m. Friday (May 26, 2006) at the Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City.

Her funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Sibley, with the Rev. Bob Kinas officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Sibley.

Visitation will 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. before the service at the church. Lamb Funeral Home, Gibson City, is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Benway was born Feb.

11, 1912, in Sullivant Township, a daughter of George and Ethel B. Haack Brucker. She married Joe H. Benway on Feb. 22, 1936, in Sibley.

He died Oct. 28, 1987. Mrs. Benway is survived by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a twin brother, La a Vern Brucker.

Mrs. Benway helped her husband on the farm. She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Sibley, the Sibley Senior Citizens and the Sunshine Band. She enjoyed dancing and playing cards.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and the staff at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex, who cared for her the past nine years. Memorials may be made to the Gibson Area Hospital Annex. Maryjo McCabe PAXTON Maryjo Ann McCabe, 77, Paxton, died at 9:20 p.m., Thursday (May 25, 2006) at her home. Service: 7 p.m. Sunday at the Ford-Baier Funeral Home, 406 E.

Pells Paxton. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials: Paxton Day Care Center or Provena Hospice Program. Survivors: five daughters, Colleen Ferrara and Kathleen (Rick Barnes) McCabe, both of Paxton; Margaret (Dave) Hofbauer, Cissna Park; Aileen (Bill) Kirts, Milford; and Mary (Tom) Fortune, Mahomet; four sons, John (Susan) McCabe, Pekin; Pat McCabe, Loda; Joe (Carol) McCabe and Timothy McCabe, both of Paxton; 23 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Edith Mitchell HEYWORTH Edith L. Mitchell, 97, Heyworth, passed away Wednesday (May 24, 2006) at Heritage Manor in Blooming- ton. She was born March 5, 1909, in St. Louis, the daughter of Rolla and Maude McGhee. She married George Mitchell on Nov.

11, 1932. He preceded her in death. Edith is survived by her daughter, Betty (Ron) Donaldson; grandchildren, Pam (Walt) Jenkins and Cory Donaldson, all of Heyworth; her brother, Donald (Bonnie) McGhee; nephew, Chris (Gail) McGhee; niece, Sharon (Dave) Rhodes; several great-nieces and great all of Virginia. There will be a private service for the family. Interment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington.

East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. Bork, Roland, 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church, Piper City. Duguid, James, 10:30 a.m. at Calvert Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.

Fese, Joseph, 1 p.m. at Calvert Musselman Funeral Home, Lexington. Hunter, Helen, 11 a.m. at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy. Lambert, Virginia May, 11 a.m, at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln.

Larson, Harvey, 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Loercher, Charmayne, 11 a.m. at Morton Christian Church, Morton.

Patterson. Donald, 10 a.m. graveside at Evergreen El Paso. Schwitters, David, 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso.

Seils, Waldemar, 10:30 a.m. graveside at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Zogg, Marjorie, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, Odell.

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL Louis Vallosio 7, Knoxville, Bloomington at 6:16 p.m. 24, 2006) at cis Medical Service: noon at the it Methodist Church, burg, with Rev. Grulke ing. BLOOMINGTON Louis Vallosio, 84, of 1516 Knox Highway formerly of and Peoria, died Wednesday (May the OSF Saint FranCenter, Peoria. Tuesday First Galesthe Scott officiatLouis Burial: cre- Vallosio.

mation rites will be accorded. Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory, Knoxville, is in charge of arrangements. Visitation: from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the church. Memorials: Joy Ann Vallosio Memorial Nursing Scholarship or the First United Methodist Church, Galesburg.

Survivors: wife, Joan Vallo-1 sio, Knoxville; son, Michael(Joy) Vallosio, Edwards; stepdaughters, Jana (Ken) Shook and Jaynee (Bill) Fineran, both of Moline; one grandson; 10- stepgrandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren; brother, Pete (Dorothy) Vallosio, Peoria; and sisters, Felicia Vallosio and Margaret Brunner, both of Peoria, and Gloria (Gene) Stookey, Goodlettsville, Obituary policy The Pantagraph does not charge for notices of pending funerals or notices of services. There is a $10 handling fee for standard obituaries. Standard obituaries include the deceased's name, age, city of residence, survivors, and details about visitation, services, burial and memorials. Families who want to personalize a loved one's obituary by including more information can use an extended obitu-: ary for a fee. Extended obituaries are subject to editing for accuracy and style.

For more information, please talk to your funeral director. PHOTO REPRINTS AVAILABLE ing in $60,000 for each. Robin Williams also played fast talking auctioneer. He and model Peter Nemcova sold off a vacation package in the south of France for $80,000. Williams was also a big bidder, buying a one-song performance from Wyclef Jean and a one-of-akind black diamond Armani necklace for a total of $120,000.

Filmmaker David Furnish took the microphone to sell off a red piano once owned by his partner, Elton John, and raise $230,000. The piano was donated by Stone. Other guests included cyclist Lance Armstrong, directors Sofia Coppola and Kevin Smith and actors Samuel L. Jackson, Ziyi Zhang, Rosario Dawson, Faye Dunaway and Gael Garcia Bernal. Calvert Metzler memorial homes Bloomington We create more than a loving funeral service.

We offer families aftercare assistance with their emotional and business affairs. All this service, no extra cost. Alex A. Calvert, Director Serving All Faiths SERVING AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS TOWNS WITH PRE-NEED AND AT-NEED MONUMENT PURCHASES LEE PRETET Sales Consultant 309-452-3581 800-582-5704 1115 Bakewell, Normal, IL MANLEY MONUMENTS LINCOLN, IL 62656 608465 FOR DETAILS CALL 829-9000 OR 800-747-7323, EXT. 249 PHOTOS PRIOR TO 2002 ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember our Veterans and the loved ones that we've lost.

Join us at East Lawn this weekend. Visit our hospitality tent, and we'll help you with directions to locate a loved one or assist with anything else you need. East Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home 1002 Airport Road, Bloomington, IL 662-1222 622692 Proudly owned by S.C.I. Illinois Services, Inc. Dignity.