Pritzker Military Library to Recognize Outstanding Work of the Union League Club of Chicago

Founder’s Award to be presented at Liberty Gala on October 24, 2009

CHICAGO, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Union League Club of Chicago, whose efforts have supported cultural and artistic endeavors throughout Chicago for 130 years, has been selected to receive the Founder’s Award of the Pritzker Military Library. The award will be presented by the Library’s President and Founder, COL (IL) James N. Pritzker IL ARNG (Ret.), at the Pritzker Military Library’s annual Liberty Gala on October 24, 2009.

The Founder’s Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Pritzker Military Library, intended to recognize extraordinary support for the Library’s mission and the development of its collection and public programs. Previous recipients include the McCormick Foundation (2008) and Chicago broadcast legend John Callaway (2007).

The Union League Club of Chicago has been a long-standing supporter and partner of the Pritzker Military Library on a wide range of activities, programs, outreach and efforts. Since 2006 the Club has been co-sponsoring visits of Medal of Honor recipients and co-hosting monthly leadership breakfasts, featuring these recipients in special outreach to members and the public. The Club has also served as a support base for the Library’s visiting authors and other guests, as well as being an active supporter of its annual Liberty Gala.

“We are deeply honored by the Pritzker Military Library’s recognition of the Union League Club of Chicago and our proud tradition of involvement in military affairs and support for those who serve in America’s Armed Forces,” said David M. Shade, Club president.

Mr. Shade noted that the Club traces its roots to the Union Leagues of America, a movement begun in Illinois during the Civil War to help President Lincoln defend the Union. “Since its founding in 1879 to promote patriotism and provide ongoing support for our democratic Republic, the Club has been a vigorous advocate on behalf of the men and women of the nation’s military,” he said. “For example, during World War I, the Club fielded its own Illinois National Guard unit. In addition to our in-house American Legion Post, in recent years we established the ’721 Club,’ a support group to aid the crew and families of the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) and the ‘Chicago 502,’ an organization dedicated to supporting the soldiers and families of the U.S. Army’s 502nd Regiment/101st Airborne Division.” Mr. Shade added that the Club also commissioned the heroic statue, “America,” at Midway International Airport in honor of the valiant Americans who fought in World War II’s Battle of Midway.

“The Union League Club is an amazing organization with an exceptional record,” said Ryan Yantis, the Executive Director of the Pritzker Military Library. “We are grateful for the Club’s contributions to our library and the success of our programs and events. Their partnership and support have helped us grow and provide great programs to an ever-increasing audience on a wide range of important topics. We congratulate the Club and its members on 130 years of service to community and country.”

The Founder’s Award of the Pritzker Military Library will be presented on October 24, 2009 during the annual Liberty Gala at Chicago’s historic Palmer House (17 E. Monroe St). That night, the Library will also present the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing to historian Gerhard Weinberg. The evening will include a tribute to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and a performance by members of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. For more information on the Liberty Gala, visit: www.pmlgala.org.

    Contact:
    Mark Heiden
    External Relations Coordinator
    Pritzker Military Library
    Library: 312.587.0234
    E-Mail:  mheiden@pritzkermilitarylibrary.net

    Ryan Yantis
    Executive Director
    Pritzker Military Library
    Library: 312.587.0234
    E-Mail: execdirector@pritzkermilitarylibrary.net

About the Pritzker Military Library

The Pritzker Military Library is a non-partisan, non-profit research institution located at 610 North Fairbanks Court in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, near the Magnificent Mile. Admission is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and also for scheduled evening events.

The mission of the Pritzker Military Library is to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials and develop appropriate programs focusing on the Citizen Soldier in the preservation of democracy. The 5,000 sq. ft. facility features a collection of books and films on subjects covering the full spectrum of American military history, along with vintage posters, photographs, medals, uniforms, and other artifacts from private donors and the collection of the Library’s founder, COL (IL) James N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Ret.).

Since opening in October 2003, the Pritzker Military Library has produced over 250 programs including events with award-winning authors, interviews with Medal of Honor recipients, and Front & Center with John Callaway, the Library’s Emmy-nominated flagship program on public affairs. All programs are presented free of charge in front of a live audience, webcast live and archived on the Internet, and recorded for later broadcast on WYCC-TV/Channel 20, a PBS affiliate. Programs are also available as audio podcasts on the Library website and at iTunes.

To learn more, please visit www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.

SOURCE Pritzker Military Library