The Naperville American Legion Post No. 43 will celebrate “Women in the Military” at a social and dinner beginning at 6PM on Sat., March 17.
“In addition to having a lot of fun together, we’re going to acknowledge the great historic contributions of women to the strength and effectiveness of the American armed forces,” said Priscilla Laubscher, Commander of Naperville American Legion Post No. 43, a respected former Senior Naval Officer. “We’ll also highlight the fact that women’s roles within the military have expanded and been reshaped as American society has evolved.”
Civil War re-enactor Lynn Vlcek will entertain the “social and dinner” attendees with her historically accurate portrayal of a devoted Civil War surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Walker displayed such courage that she is the only woman in the history of our Nation to have won the Congressional Medal of Honor, the military’s highest decoration for bravery.
“It’s going to be a fabulous evening, and we invite all interested individuals and couples, all Veterans, and all active-duty Military persons to join us,” said Laubscher.
The evening will begin at 6PM with a cocktail hour, followed at 7PM by a traditional “corned beef and cabbage” dinner in recognition of St. Patrick’s day, prepared and served by the creative Kendall Cooks. At 8PM, the historical portrayal of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker will begin.
The event will be held at the Judd Kendall VFW building at 908 West Jackson Street in Naperville. Ample off-street parking is available.
The cost of the evening is $12 per person, which is payable at the door. Reservations are required and need to be made on or before Monday, March 12, by contacting Wayne Fischer at 630-240-8868 or Wayne.L.Fischer@gmail.com. Dress is not formal. Male attendees usually wear a coat and tie. Female attendees usually wear appropriate evening attire.
Lynn Vlcek has been a Civil War re-enactor for 25 years, portraying Dr. Mary Edwards Walker for 23 of those years. Notably, she has portrayed Dr. Walker at an event held by the American Medical Women’s Association. Recently, Lynn Vlcek retired from school district 204 in Naperville after a career spanning 31 years teaching high school science.
With 2,400,000 members, the American Legion is the Nation’s largest Veterans service organization. The Legion has offices in Washington, DC.
Naperville’s American Legion Post No. 43 (www.naperlegion.org) has been actively serving Veterans, Youth and the Community since 1920. The Post invites all Veterans and active-duty Military Personnel to attend the Post’s meetings, which are held on the first Thursday evening of every month.
