Winnetka Close to Fundraising Goals for Civil War Bronze Star

The campaign to raise funds for a Civil War bronze star is just $100 shy of reaching its goal of $625, according to organizers. 

Philip Hoza, quartermaster of New Trier VFW Post 4831, started the campaign in August after a Winnetka resident asked him why there wasn’t a star for the soldiers who died in the Civil War. 

“Charles Davis and George Willson died in the Civil War and they are not listed on the cenotaph anywhere and (the resident) said, ‘let’s donate and have another star produced for the Civil War,’” Hoza said.

Charles Davis was the first-named man on the honor roll of Winnetka’s Civil War deaths in 1861, according to a Chicago Tribune article.

During ’s annual Memorial Day event, soldiers who died during past wars are announced.

There are stars for the 10 soldiers who died during World War I; 74 soldiers who died during World War II; two soldiers who died in Korean-American war and for the six soldiers who died in the Vietnam war.

This year, Winnetka native John Chimourez became curious why there were no stars for Civil War veterans.

Patti VanCleave, executive director of the , says Chimourez went into the museum and asking about the star and she referred him to Hoza.

People interested in helping the campaign can send donations to: Veterans of Foreign War, Box 59, Winnetka, 60093.

“It’s a maximum (donation) of $25 and no more,” Hoza said. “We want as many people to participate as possible, it doesn’t have to be $25, it could be as little as $1.”