Peter Poulos- American Hero

Peter Poulos- World War II Veteran Age 97

My buddies took me out for a belated birthday dinner Saturday night with my best friend, aka The Good Doctor, telling me he was bringing a "special guest". He wasn't kidding. The Good Doctor brought his favorite patient he has been helping keep a medical marvel for almost 20 years. His name is Peter Poulos and he was a highly decorated war hero in World War II and he's 97 years old and fast approaching his 98th birthday December 23rd.  He's a Chicago legend and for good reason.  This link is a TV interview back when he was a wee lad of 92.  He looks and sounds even better now.  For over 31 years he has been volunteering 3 days a week at the HInes Veterans Administration Hospital.

In WWII  Pete served in the 6th Army in the South Pacific seeing heavy action at Guadacanal, Java, and the Phillipines and was with General MacArthur when the Terms of Surrender were signed by the Japanese ending the war. Upon returning to Chicago he was given a plum assignment as Postman for Chicago's Gold Coast where he became something of a celebrity ambassador based on his War Hero status. When Sinatra was in town at The Pump Room he'd ask to have 'The Greek' join him for coffee.  At The Original Playboy Mansion 'Hef' would insist Pete make himself at home, have a drink, and enjoy the scenery.

The Hines VA Hospital is the largest medical facility in the world encompassing 200 acres and for over 31 years Pete has been there 3 days a week walking around 10 miles a day going from bed to bed to rehab centers and helping sick men and women who have honorably served our country get better both physically and mentally.  He is an inspiration to every one he sees always sharing words of encouragement and instilling hope to those who need it most. He showed me a pic he keeps in his wallet of when he greeted President George W. Bush at Grant Park about 10 years ago when he arrived on Marine 1.  I asked Pete if I could get a copy and soon it shall hang in a place of honor in The Lion's Den.

GSL, The Highly Honorable Pete Poulos, and The Good Doctor
Ditka's Steak House
Chicago's Gold Coast
....Hey Tabs, those gals you say need a port in a storm should join
 GSL, Good Doc, and Pistol Pete for some of this 20yo Tawny

This week 97 year old Peter Poulos, just as he has been doing for the last 31+ years, will go to the Hines VA Hospital for three 10 hour days and offer assistance, hope, and inspiration for the men and women he refers to as "my heroes" as an unpaid volunteer.