Page 49 - February 2017

We ‘Salute’ You
The Annual FOP Stars hockey game against the Chicago re ghters raises money for program that helps military vets become police of cers.
Jonathan Elarde went from knocking sand from his boots in Iraq to pounding a beat in Chicago’s 16th District thanks to a nonprofit group that helps veterans get on the job.
Elarde, who became a CPD officer in 2010, offered his praise for Salute Inc. – which provides short-term assis- tance to veterans and their families – while taking in the Jan. 22 charity hockey game at the Morgan Park Ice Arena between the Chicago Police FOP Stars and Chicago fire- fighters which benefitted the organization.
Salute’s efforts are “tailor fit” to help veterans cope with whatever civilian life can throw at them, which helped Elarde in so many ways.
“If I ever needed advice or to talk to someone, they were always there,” 33-year-old Elarde said.
Salute was founded in 2003 by Will and Mary Beth Beiersdorf of Arlington Heights. Will Beiersdorf, a Navy Reservist, was deployed after the 9-11 attacks, causing a severe financial strain on the family while he was away. The couple decided to help other veteran families after recognizing the surprising hardship they endured. The nonprofit started with fundraising efforts based around a yearly Memorial Day Family Run/Walk and has grown since then.
borhood, returned home from two tours in Iraq. His mother connected him with Salute, and he began talking about his plans, he said. He quickly learned that the or- ganization could help financially and provide advice on how to get settled.
Elarde later took the special police test for veterans, he said. Meanwhile, Salute helped cover his car payments and with finding a place to live. The organization even took him and other veterans to a retreat at the Chicago White Sox fantasy camp.
The help turned out to be vital. It took Elarde four years to get into the academy, but the wait was worth it, he said. Being with the Chicago Police Department is like “an- other brotherhood,” he said. He described the camarade-
rie as similar to what he had in the Marine Corps.
Elarde is a natural talker, he said, and one of his favorite parts of the job is being able to get to know the people in
his district.
“Just like in the military, you meet different kinds of
people. Every day is different. It’s a great job,” Elarde said. Sponsored by Chicago Lodge 7, the Stars compete in games to benefit various charities including the Broth- erhood for the Fallen and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. The Jan. 22 event raised more than $3,000 for
Salute. d
In 2006, Elarde, who grew up in the Ravenswood neigh-
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2017 49
See more photos from the game on page 50
t