Representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago came to Northbrook on July 2 to honor the Korean War service of two veterans associated with the George W. Benjamin American Legion Post 791 of Northbrook.
At an evening ceremony, the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea was given to Salvatore “Sam” Casali of Skokie and to the family of the late Mario Anthony Faldani of Burr Ridge.
Faldani was 91 when he died last Jan. 28. Casali, 95, is the past commander of Post 791.
Vice Consul Jongyun Ra of Northbrook, of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, presented both medals and was accompanied in the honorarium by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea’s Consul Taesu Yeo of Glenview and Cultural Coordinator Eojin Shin.
At the legion-presented event, Tom Kittler of Northbrook, post commander and a retired brigadier general who served in the U.S. Air Force for 32 years, both active and reserve, and is of the Glenbrook North High School Class of 1979, said to the audience, “The Ambassador for Peace Medal is an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to the United States servicemen and women who served in the Korean War, so that’s what we’re here to celebrate.”
To Pioneer Press, “I think the South Korean government, to present these medals, to our warriors that went over there and really did their business, still supporting the U.S., still supporting South Korea, it’s fantastic,” Kittler said.
Salvatore “Sam” Casali
Casali was raised in Evanston and is of the Evanston Township High School Class of 1947. Casali was in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a volunteer in 1947 and deployed to Korea in 1952 for nine months. Casali’s military service includes a history of having a MOS Assignment – Aviation Ordinance with a rank at discharge of Sergeant Major (E-9).
Casali’s father was an immigrant from Italy. Casali’s wife Betty died in 2008 and their son Thomas died in 2022. Of his daughter Betty Jean of (United States) Georgia, “She’s a godsend,” Casali said.
Casali, who brought a short stack of photographs made from 1951 to 1952, has fond memories of crew members and leave time during Korean service.
“That was a good boost (rest and relaxation) because we were pretty much in demand,” Casali said.
Casali worked for Illinois Bell for 34 years. He believes people should “definitely” thank veterans.
“They don’t know what it is to be stationed in a foreign world so you adjust,” Casali said. “When you said that to yourself, you kind of went with the flow.”
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Mario Anthony Faldani
Mario Faldani’s Ambassador for Peace Medal was given to his wife of nearly 59 years Kathleen Faldani of Burr Ridge who wore the medal.
It felt, “wonderful,” to wear the medal, Kathleen Faldani said. “I’m so proud.”
Also present were daughter Patricia Faldani of suburban Brookfield, son Tom Faldani of Countryside, and Mario Faldani’s sister Lena Faldani Curtin of Wood Dale.
Kathleen Faldani’s younger brother Tom Mahoney of Northbrook, Post 791 past commander, offered the prayer during the ceremony as chaplain.
Mario Faldani was born and raised in Chicago to Italian immigrants from Cittadella, Italy, and a graduate of Chicago’s St. Ignatius College Prep.
Faldani was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and was deployed to Korea in 1953 for one year, four months, and 25 days. Faldani’s military history includes a MOS Assignment – Signal Corps and his rank at discharge was Sergeant (T) (E-5).
Patricia Faldani addressed the audience on behalf of the family.
“I just want you to know that my dad would be really honored,” Mario’s daughter said. “He took his service very, very seriously and while he never really talked about it when we were kids growing up, it was always a part of his life and as he got older and his memories faded, it was actually some of his memories from Korea that were the most vivid.”
During podium remarks, Vice Consul Ra said, “We gather here to pay tribute to the brave men who served during one of the most challenging chapters in our history, the Korean War.”
Ra said more than 5.7 million soldiers served during the Korean War with more than 33,000 killed and approximately 92,000 wounded.
“We honor the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who answered the call of duty,” Ra said.
To Pioneer Press, Yeo said that as consul, “I do believe that it’s my mission to find Korean War veterans and their families to express our deepest appreciation for their devotion and sacrifice during the Korean War.
“Maybe sometimes the Korean War veterans and their families, maybe other United States citizens, may have some questions about how the Koreans remember their sacrifice during the Korean War.
“But I surely say that we all remember, all the Koreans remember the history and we will remember,” Yeo said with a smile. “We will not forget.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.