How one Des Plaines man honors veterans despite terminal cancer diagnosis

Yahoo

25-05-2025

DES PLAINES, Ill. — Even at a place meant for eternal rest, you can find those with the drive to soldier on.
'It means a lot to me to serve veterans. They did a lot for us and it's time to be there for them,' Kevin O'Connell said.
For the better part of two decades, O'Connell has spent the first part of his Memorial Day weekend at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
'We come out here and plant flags on every veteran's grave that's marked 50, so typically on a day like today, we will have flags put on more than 5,500 monuments,' O'Connell said.
O'Connell never served in the military, but he did serve his community as a police officer for many years. He also served by honoring those in uniform, like his dad.
'The year after my dad passed away, I went to his gravesite, and I put a flag down on his grave,' he said. 'I looked around and saw all these other veterans' graves and there was no marking on it, and I thought, 'How sad is that?' These guys served our nation so we can be free, so we should remember them.'
Since 2009, he and others have been the driving force behind Operation Flags for Vets at the cemetery.
'We have soldiers buried here from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan,' O'Connell said. 'It's interesting when you walk the cemetery and you read their histories. It all comes to light why we are a free nation.'
The first year, O'Connell says about 60 people showed up to place the American flags on gravesites. This year, there were about 400 volunteers.
'It was just really exciting to watch,' he said.
Not only because of the mission he began 16 years ago but because of the battle he has been waging for the last two months.
'I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Typically, I would not be out here in the field walking around but it's something near and dear to my heart,' O'Connell said.
It's why his daughter, Melissa Samp, stepped up to rally the troops this year. To honor her did, his mission and his battle.
'We're facing a short timeline, and this is very important to him. It's his legacy,' Samp said. 'He's handling it with grace, integrity… all of his neighbors have put up signs that say K.O. Strong.'
It's a testament that even if we don't put on the uniform, we can still make an impact and honor those who did. Even when our mission faces its biggest challenge yet.
'If I were to just sit home in a chair, it would go a lot faster. But if I get my tail in gear and move forward, I'll last a lot longer and that's what I intend on doing,' O'Connell said.
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