Community Corner

NAMES IN THE NEWS: LCpl Joseph Harr Comes Home, Frankie 'the Bambino' Alvarado

One is a U.S. Marine who just finished serving a tour in Afghanistan; the other is a slugger in youth baseball. They're both people to watch in Oak Lawn.

Looking dashing in his Marine uniform, LCpl. Joseph Harr, a 2010 graduate of arrived in style riding in an open top red Corvette. For his excited dad, William, it was the best Father's Day he ever had.

Subscribe to the Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Harr was escorted by a contingent of bikers from the Warrior Watch Project, and stepped out of the car into the relieved arms of his mother, Sue Sommerville, and kisses from girlfriend, Taylor.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

First on LCpl. Harr's homecoming bucket list: order a Giordana's pizza. After his family and girlfriend, that's what the young Marine missed most while overseas.

No one was happier for LCpl. Harr than another Oak Lawn solider, Army Master Sgt. Miguel Guzman.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Searching for news of home on the Internet, MSG. Guzman came across our story about Joseph Harr's homecoming on Monday's Patch.

MSG Guzman sent his greetings from Kabul, Afghanistan, to "the beautiful city of Oak Lawn." The Army master sergeant is one of three men from Oak Lawn stationed in Afghanistan, along with Lt. Col. James Kokaska and Sgt. Arroyo Demetrio.

The soliders arrived in Afghanistan for a one-year tour on March 1, but there is a chance that their orders may be shortened and some or all may be able to come home in September.

Thanks for your service, gentlemen. Oak Lawn waits for you with open arms.

The Road to Cooperstown

Proud dad Rico Alvarado shared a photo of his son, Oak Lawn Grizzly Frankie, on our Facebook page this week.

Rico writes: "Frankie Alvarado also known as "the Bambino," is having another great year with the Grizzlies with the team high 9 homers and batting over 600, [he] will try his best to help his team in Cooperstown next week. Go, Grizzlies."

Like the original Bambino, Frankie is also a talented pitcher. According to a story from last year on the Patch, Frankie pitched two scoreless innings against the Berwyn Thunder, and went 3-for-4 with one run scored and two RBIs.

We love the idea of having our very own Bambino in Oak Lawn.

The Oak Lawn Grizzlies are a travel team comprised of players from Oak Lawn (East Side) and Westside Baseball that play in the Northern Illinois Metro League. The Grizzlies are having quite a year.

Good luck in Cooperstown, boys.

Read more NAMES IN THE NEWS:

Like Oak Lawn Patch on Facebook.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here