Posted on 01/03/2006 10:34:52 AM PST by KeyLargo
Daily Herald
Family loses son in Iraq, then house to fire
By Marni Pyke Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Vietnam War veteran Jesse Alcozer isn’t used to asking for help.
But a series of traumas — the death of his son in Iraq, protests by a hate group at the funeral and a fire that left the Alcozer family homeless — proved too much to endure.
“We just need a little bit of help,” said Alcozer, his voice breaking during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is organizing a fundraising effort to assist the Elmhurst family. The Alcozers’ rental house went up in flames Dec. 27 when a candle burning in a shrine for U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Alcozer set his picture on fire.
The only spot of good news was that firefighters rescued medals belonging to Christopher and the flag that had draped his coffin.
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, left, helps launch a fundraiser for the Alcozers family in front of their burned out home. Jesse Alcozer, holds on to the flag given to the family after his son, Christopher, died in Iraq. The flag was one of the few things rescued from the fire. “It’s a part of my son. It means a lot,” Alcozer said.
The family is temporarily staying at a hotel, but money is tight.
Alcozer, who is disabled as a result of being wounded seven times in Vietnam, lost his job some months ago, and his veterans benefits were cut 20 percent just before Christopher’s death Nov. 19.
The Community Bank of Elmhurst has set up a fund to help the Alcozers, who didn’t have renter’s insurance, get back on their feet.
Quinn appealed for donations, saying even a dollar is important.
“When something bad happens to one of us, the entire Illinois community comes together,” Quinn said.
Firefighters estimated the damage to the 1880s frame house on North Michigan Avenue in eastern Elmhurst at $100,000.
Members of the Alcozer family, including two young grandchildren, were relaxing and watching a movie together around 9 p.m. Dec. 27 when the fire struck.
“The next thing we knew, the fire alarm went off,” said Judy Alcozer, Jesse’s wife.
She tried to extinguish the flames, but the fire spread too rapidly.
“I prayed that we all got out alive,” Jesse Alcozer said.
While watching the destruction, the couple told emergency workers about the flag and medals. Firefighters Eric Burmeister and Kevin Cwirla, who is a retired National Guard staff sergeant, hurried to salvage them.
“His son gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we hoped we could alleviate the pain,” Cwirla said.
“The good Lord has a way of doing things,” Alcozer said.
The family is steeped in military history. Jesse’s father and grandfather served, and he has two sons enlisted.
Christopher grew up hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
“My son always believed in America,” Jesse said.
Christopher attended Willowbrook High School in Villa park, where he was on the wrestling team and played in the orchestra.
He died at age 21 during a skirmish in the town of Mosul, Iraq, while his unit was looking for suspected terrorists holed up in a house, Jesse said.
Christopher was fatally shot while covering other soldiers as they removed the wounded.
“He couldn’t walk away. He stood his ground. He wanted to make sure his Army friends got out alive,” Alcozer said. “At the last minute he was killed.”
Adding to the family’s grief were protesters who demonstrated outside the funeral with signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”
The group has targeted military burials, contending that the deaths of soldiers are divine retribution for society’s toleration of homosexuals.
The experience was unbelievably hurtful, Alcozer said.
“Can’t people just stay away?” he said. “For someone to come and protest … it’s just too painful.”
Quinn, who got to know the family after Christopher’s death, is spearheading legislation to keep protesters away from mourners at funerals.
The family’s plight drew the sympathy of Yorkville retirees Walter and Kathe Evers.
Although on a limited income, the two showed up to donate to the fund.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Walter Evers said.
Sentiments like that are worth as much as the money, Alcozer said.
“I’m a little happier because the community cares.”
dailyherald.com
> Adding to the family’s grief were protesters who demonstrated outside the funeral with signs saying, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”
I pray for God's judgment on these sicko protesters: don't they have any sense of propriety?
Mr Alcozer, I shall pray for you and your family tonite. Thanks for your service and your sacrifice.
Most of us around here believe that this is his real agenda. If you search (not very deeply) you'll see lots of ties between this Phelps scum and Albert Gore.
I have looked into it, but it gets me so mad that I can't stomach it any more.
>>>Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is organizing a fundraising effort to assist the Elmhurst family. The Alcozers’ rental house went up in flames Dec. 27 when a candle burning in a shrine for U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Alcozer set his picture on fire.>>>
Dear God. How awful!
bttt
fund ping
You are precisely correct.
God will always test our faith, and it is our free will that keeps us strong with Him.
Prayers for these people, and all others affected by these losses.
I don't like what Phelps does but I was in the same bathroom with him or one of his followers at the University of Michigan as they were cleaning up after being assaulted.
This was after they were assaulted near the Union with cakes by liberal socialist/commie students for merely voicing their opinion.
What about David Horrowitz - he was also verbally attack at the University of Michigan... I'm sure they wanted him thrown in jail.
Ann coulter... the list goes on...
If someone protesting outside a soldier's funeral were murdered, and I was on the jury, I would, under no circumstances, vote to convict.
I pray the blessings of Almighty God run up to and overtake this family and that everything set against them for evil be turned to good, in Jesus' Name.
This particular group is the one who attaches the issue to it. Not the newspaper. What they reported was correct.
Thank you for that address. We will donate as well.
The more publicity the better, both in terms of help for the family and condemnation of the yobs who protested at their son's funeral.
Thank you for this info- prayers and money on the way, and this is what Americans are best at!!
TOM -- I know you don't go outside the Canteen much -- please look at this one!!!
Canteen ping
Phelps is an attorney...his wish is to make someone angry enough to attack him so he can sue them. He's made quite a bit of money doing this already...from what I've heard.
Well, hopefully soon his family will be suing on behalf of his estate!
I wouldn't cry for him...
In case you didn't know...his "church" is made of family members. I don't think there is even one member that isn't related to him by blood or marriage.
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