Above / Throughout the year, Dick Komarek, Jim Vahle and Lee Lindberg are active participants in Naperville American Legion Post 43 programs and events. On Sat., April 15, the Veterans will be on hand to honor the 2017 Citizens of the Year. (PN File photo)
The Naperville American Legion will host its annual “Post 43 Awards and Recognition” on Sat., April 15, 2017, during its monthly dinner and social.
The social hour begins 6PM with dinner at 7PM followed by the program.
As in the past, this annual recognition and social welcomes veterans, their families and friends as well as the public to attend. The event will be held at Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
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 2017 event, three years ago the special awards program was expanded to recognize winners in three categories: Service to Community, Service to Veterans and Service to Youth.
Ray Kinney, Gloria & Joe Caruso, Trish Krenick will be honored
Ray Kinney will be recognized in the category of 2017 Citizen of the Year for Service to Community; Gloria and Joe Caruso, 2017 Citizens of the Year for Service to Veterans; and Trish Krenick, 2017 Citizen of the Year for Service to Youth.
“We also will be awarding our 2017 Post 43 Scholarships when we honor our three Post 43 ‘Citizens of the Year,'” said Vahle. “In addition, we will be honoring our Past Post 43 Commanders.”
Vahle noted he has bios of all three deserving Citizens of the Year that he’s saving to present along with the awards at the dinner.
The full-course dinner will be prepared by Fay’s Pork Chop Bar-B-Que. The menu will include charcoal grilled pork chop and a quarter chicken with accents of German potato salad, green bean casserole, cole slaw, applesauce and rolls. Homemade desserts again will be prepared by Lee Lindberg.
Last call! Reserve a spot by April 11, 2017
The cost of the dinner is $14 per person, payable at the door, with advance reservation.
A limited number of reservations remain.
To reserve a seat at the table, contact Wayne Fischer by Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at wayne.l.fischer@gmail.com or (630) 240-8868.
Fischer expressed his appreciation to attendees in advance for supporting all the programs of Post 43. Â
“Your personal support enables all of us to maintain a strong connection with our Active Duty Military; our fellow Veterans; our Community; and our Youth,” noted Fischer. Â
The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson Street. Plenty of free parking is available at the rear of the post.
Editor’s Note /Â The Naperville American Legion Post 43 was chartered on August 1, 1920, by 126 World War I Veterans. Today the Veterans’ organization has more than 600 members with an important and prominent presence in the community as “Veterans serving Veterans” every day and more.
Looking forward, May always is a big month to observe Veterans. First off, the annual Honor Flight Chicago Fundraiser is Sat., May 6, in the Calamos Investments Hangar at the DuPage County Airport. Buddy Poppy Sales will benefit programs for disabled Veterans. The month wraps up with the Annual Naperville Memorial Day Parade, this year on May 29, a time to honor and show respect for men, women and their families who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom. Thanks for remembering.
