Always ready to serve Wheaton names Joel Gomez to community relations body.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), May, 2006 | by Fuller, James

Byline: James Fuller Daily Herald Staff Writer The city of Wheaton has done a lot for injured Iraq war veteran Joel Gomez. Volunteers have overseen his medical care. They built him a home. They gave him an extended family of more than 55,000 people. Now Gomez is getting his chance to give back.

The city will appoint Gomez to its Community Relations Commission on Monday while also announcing its "adoption" of the Army's 1st Division 18th Infantry Battalion. Gomez was a sergeant in that battalion when in 2004 his military vehicle plunged off a cliff, leaving him paralyzed. "It was really unexpected, but I'm pretty enthusiastic about it," Gomez said of his appointment. He's even more excited about the battalion adoption. "It's going to be a...