Evergreen Park Veteran to be Honored at Blackhawks Game

An Evergreen Park resident and veteran will get a chance to hear cheers from the crowd at the United Center later this week, as he is honored for his service to the country.

At each home Chicago Blackhawks game, there is an active-duty member of the Armed Forces and a veteran in attendance during the singing of the National Anthem. On Jan. 12, resident Lance Cpl. Luis Ocasio will be standing on the ice for this special honor.

Ocasio served two tours of duty in Iraq, one in 2004 and another in 2007. During his deployment, he suffered a traumatic brain injury and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. His transition back to civilian life, like many veterans, has been challenging and he’s still working to make ends meet financially so he can provide for his family.

According to Natalie King of Nehlsen Communications, a few months ago, Ocasio noticed his furnace was no longer functioning properly and with the cold winter quickly approaching he knew he had to swallow his pride and ask for help. With the assistance of the Hines VA Hospital, Ocasio got in contact with the Helping Our Heroes charitable foundation. The Downers Grove-based foundation helps Illinois Military service men/women, firemen/women, policemen/women, and veterans with home-related expenses due to financial troubles, according to the website .Nancy Neimoth, Director of Helping our Heroes, immediately contacted the Heat for Heroes program and within weeks a new furnace was on its way to the Ocasio family in Evergreen Park.

Heat for Heroes is an effort of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago (MCA) and the members of Pipefitters Local 597. Their mission is to donate time and materials to repair home heating and cooling systems for eligible military personnel.

“I thought getting a new furnace was such a blessing, but now I’m being honored at a Blackhawks game," said Ocasio. "The Heat for Heroes program has really gone above and beyond for me and my family.”