The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) Foundation celebrates Illinois Marines as part of the organization’s year-long Marines Across America program to mark the Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary. This recognition comes as Chicago hosts Marine Week, a celebration of Marine Corps service and the lasting impact of Marines in communities across Illinois. From newsrooms to the halls of Congress, Marines with ties to Illinois have helped shape how the nation remembers, governs, and heals. Notable Marines with Illinois ties include:

Luis Lara, Romeoville, Illinois: Serving as a police officer in Romeoville, Lara brings commitment and expertise forged during six years in the Marine Corps, from 2012 to 2017, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. A graduate in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he previously served with the Chicago and Palos Hills Police Departments and continues to build community trust through leadership and public safety service.

Ryan Pavel, Chicago, Illinois: As CEO of the Warrior-Scholar Project, Ryan Pavel empowers enlisted veterans through education. Under his leadership, the nonprofit partners with top universities to host academic boot camps that help veterans transition from military to college life, with over 88 percent of participating veterans successfully completing the program. Named a 2023 Obama Foundation Leader, Pavel champions a peer-led model that equips veterans to succeed in higher education and beyond.

For more information or for the full list of notable marines, visit www.marineheritage.org.