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Naperville American Legion honors three ‘Citizens of the Year’

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Updated April 19, 2014 / Since 1986, Naperville American Legion Post 43 has presented its annual Citizen of the Year Award for extraordinary service to the Naperville area community.

According to American Legion Trustee Jim Vahle and chairman of the 2014 event, this year the special awards program was expanded to recognize winners in three categories: Service to Community, Service to Veterans and Service to Youth.

With colorful flags and pageantry, the 2014 recipients—Richard Montalbano, Jr., Bob Bohr and Leonard Novak—were honored at the American Legion’s Past Commanders’ Recognition Dinner beginning at 6PM on Sat,, April 19, held at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.

In addition, two high school seniors, Anna Moylan from St. Francis in Wheaton and Jordan Alexander from Naperville North High School, who were awarded $1,500 scholarships. Eleven Past Commanders were in attendance and were recognized for their contributions to Post 43, as were all Past Commanders who have served since 1919.

Do you know where the Naperville Armory used to be?

As Past Commander Wayne Fischer detailed the history and 94 years of dedicated service of American Legion Post 43, he read from several clippings taken from the Naperville Clairon, dated in 1919, that referenced an “Armory of Company L” in Naperville. Today’s American Legion membership is unaware of the Armory and Fischer is eager to find out where the secure place to safely store arms and ammunition had been located.

Anyone who recalls a mention of the Armory or its location is encouraged to contact Fischer at wayne.l.fischer@gmail.com or (630) 240-8868. 

past-commanders-web
The Naperville American Legion Post 43 dates back to 1919. Eleven of the veterans who have served as Post Commanders were in attendance at the 2014 Past Commanders’ Dinner.

2014 Citizens of the Year

Richard Montalbano Jr. for Service to the Community.  Montalbano has been impacting the lives of those with disabilities since the age of nine. He is an active member of the International Order of Alhambra, an organization dedicated to assisting the disabled, founder of Touch My Heart, a not-for-profit focusing on the special needs community, and Special Needs Vice Chairman for the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Bob Bohr for Service to Veterans. Bohr, a Vietnam era Air Force veteran, is a Past Commander of Naperville Post 43 and the DuPage County American Legion, Finance Officer for the 11th District, Chair of the 2nd Division National Security Commission, and a Board Member of the DuPage Veterans Assistance Commission. He is also a committee member of the DuPage Veterans Foundation, and was the driving force behind creation of the Naperville Chapter of American Legion Riders. He is a regular at walk-through’s honoring deceased veterans and monthly visits to independent and assisted living facilities as well as visiting Hines V.A. Hospital.

Leonard Novak for Service to Youth. Novak not only gives his time to young people, he is a mentor with a rare knack for connecting with them. He has served as an Assistant Cub Master, a Girl Scouts Unit Leader for eight years, Assistant Scout Master and Committee Chair for Boy Scout Troop 8, Chartering Member and Committee Chair of Venture Crew 875, and President and Coach of the Naperville Wrestling Club. Quoting from one letter recommending him for the award, “He has made an indelible mark in the lives of countless people—kids and adults alike.”

citizen-of-the-year-2014-vfw
2014 Citizens of the Year, Bob Bohr, Richard Montalbano and Leonard Novack, are pictured with their wives after they were recognized for their service by the American Legion Post 43.

This annual recognition and social welcomed veterans, their families and friends as well as the public to attend. The delicious dinner buffet featured pork barbecue prepared by an outside vendor with the famous Kendall Cooks preparing scalloped potatoes, beans and coleslaw. An assortment of desserts again were provided by Lee Lindberg.

Every year, citizens in the community have a opportunity to nominate local residents for the American Legion Citizen of Year Awards. Going forward, three categories will continue to welcome nominations. Watch for local news releases seeking nominations early in 2015.

Photos by James Hoch Photography featuring images of the April 19 American Legion Awards Ceremony are available at: http://jameshochphotography.smugmug.com/Military/American-Legion/Legion-Awards-2014.

Going Forward in May

The 3rd Annual Honor Flight Fundraiser is set for 11AM-3PM Sat., May 3, 2014. The event held at the DuPage County Airport grows every year with the aim to raise enough funds to pay for one completely full Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. See previous story with photos and updates by clicking here.

The American Legion also will hold its annual Poppy Day, this year on Thurs., May 15.  Look for veterans positioned at trains stations and throughout the city who will be distributing bright red poppies to heighten awareness for needs of wounded military men and women. The annual initiative helps support veterans’ unmet needs. For 2014, 100 percent of all donations will benefit Operation Comfort Warrior, an organization that provides wounded military with rehabilitation equipment for physical therapy and entertainment in the form of soft clothing, electronics, video games, movies, music and more.

Then on Mon., May 26, the American Legion and the Judd Kendall VFW Posts in conjunction with the City of Naperville will host the city’s annual Memorial Day Parade and other Memorial Day Observances to pay tribute to all veterans and their families that have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting freedom. God bless America. All registration to participate in the Memorial Day Parade is via the parade website at http://www.napervillememorialdayparade.com.

 

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An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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