Resident had torches made in Sycamore for 2 US Olympics

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) — More than 30 years ago, a piece of Sycamore was at the start of two Olympiads.

Turner Brass of Sycamore designed and made the Olympic torches that traveled to and lit the flames of the Lake Placid Winter Games and the Los Angeles Summer Games, and the torches still are here.

Sycamore resident Jerry Pelan was superintendent of the Turner Brass plant at the time and, after the success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was presented with a plaque from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and the torches in a ceremony at the plant.

"It was very nice," Pelan said. "Good memories."

He keeps them in his home, usually in his office, in a display that keeps the torches upright.