The Rev. Raymond Klees always has found it important to honor the men and women who served the U.S. Armed Forces, but since Sept. 11, 2001, he also has been honoring the "first responders" - police, fire, and emergency personnel.

After a successfully completing the second annual Patriot's Day celebration at St. Cletus Church Sept. 7, Klees himself was honored, receiving the Citizen of the Year award from the FBI National Academy Associates of Illinois Sept. 17.

"I was humbled and very appreciative to be honored on a state level for something we do locally", he said. "It's really an honor for all the people of this parish because there are so many involved."

The award honors those individuals whose efforts go above the norm in providing support to Illinois Law Enforcement.

Klees was nominated by LaGrange Police Chief Michael Holub who also is the third vice president for the group's Northern Illinois Division.

In his nomination letter, Holub said the success of the two Patriot's Day events was "clearly attributable to Father Klees."

Holub said Klees received two standing ovations from the gathering of some of the top law enforcement officers in the state at the ceremony. "He's a humble guy," Holub said.

The Patriot's Day celebration is a chance for the community to honor those who risk their lives to protect the rest of society as well as to honor the families of law enforcement personnel and the sacrifices they make, Klees said.

"Those men and women go to work differently, they go with their lives on the line", he said. "But it's even more about the families and letting the kids stand hand in hand with their Mom and Dad. Because (the officer's) sacrifice is also part (the child's) sacrifice.

Note: This article was reprinted with the permission of Suburban Life. Photos by Chris Wagner.