Having grown up in Northwest Indiana, Len Sherwinski always felt a sense of dedication to the area. As a child, Sherwinski attended Warren G Harding Elementary School and graduated from Morton High School before moving on to Purdue Calumet where he was one of the first to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology in 1975. After graduation, Sherwinski and his wife moved their way through northwest Indiana before settling back down in Crown Point.
“My wife and I grew up in the area and were high school sweethearts,” Sherwinski said. “So our families were all here. We wanted to raise our children here and be part of such a wonderful community.”
For many years, Sherwinski worked as a Software Executive for a company based in Atlanta, Georgia until he retired a few years ago. Now, with his children grown and ample time on his hands, Sherwinski devotes himself to various organizations throughout the area, most notably with Honor Flight.
Honor Flight Chicago is a non-profit organization that recognizes Chicagoland’s World War II veterans by flying them, all-expense-paid, to Washington DC for a day of honor, remembrance and celebration. Honor Flight Chicago relies on more than 700 volunteers who work tirelessly to raise money for the flights and who provide veteran outreach, community and school education, public relations, and logistical support.
“My dad was a World War II vet, so this organization, and others like it, are very important to me,” Sherwinski said. “Before I retired, I spent so much of my time traveling and forming relationships with people all over the country. It’s great to be able to finally give back to the area I love so much.”
For the past three years, Sherwinski has been an ambassador for Honor Flight Chicago. In this position, he travels to different organizations in northwest Indiana, like the Kiwanis group, to speak, and inform others of the program. He also works as a phone ambassador, working directly with veterans who have been selected and their families, getting them safely and efficiently through the trip.
Sherwinski also works closely with Northwest Indiana Veteran’s Action Council, which is a committee that seeks to coordinate services provided to service members and to promote awareness of new initiatives on their behalf. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, they have created Veterans Build, providing housing for those who have served out country.
“It’s been great being able to meet a lot of really good people in Northwest Indiana that are dedicated to these causes,” Sherwinski said. “Working with these organizations really opened up my eyes to the history side of it all – the living story. It’s so interesting to talk with these veterans and to hear their stories, not only while they were in the service, but in their community as well.”
In what remains of his spare time, Sherwinski also serves as secretary for his homeowner’s association, loves tinkering with computers, and spending as much time as possible with his wife and family, who all live nearby.