Disabled Now Have Access to Pinckneyville Lake

Thanks to the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), the State of Illinois, and other local organizations, the late World War II disabled veteran Harold Wild, an avid fisherman, now has a handicap-accessible pier on Pinckneyville Lake, Illinois, named in his honor.

At a recent dedication ceremony, acting coordinator of the Shawnee RC&D Edward Weilbacher noted the project has "been a long time coming."

"Wild advocated something like this for years," said Leonard Heisner, former commander of the now disbanded VFW Post 3959 and member of the American Legion.  "We'd remembered that he'd been such a loyal member that we did everything we could."

Mayor Joseph Holder commended all those involved in making the pier complex a reality, and added a special thanks to city staff responsible for the work.  The lake, now more than ever, becomes a place for all individuals, he said.

Holder also recognized disabled veterans in his speech noting the benefits the lake can have for them, "Not all injuries and memories you bring back from the service are visible," he said.  "Sometimes when you come back from combat, it's best to get on the water and float."  (from a The Southern story by Adam Testa)
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Paige Mitchell-Buck at 217-353-6606.