[shareprints gallery_id=”41775″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”2″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” comments=”false” sharing=”true”]The Naperville American Legion Post 43 recognized three citizens for service to the community and awarded two students with scholarships Saturday evening at the Judd Kendall VFW.
Since 1986, Naperville American Legion Post 43 annually has recognized a Naperville citizen for extraordinary service. The program was expanded in 2014 to honor three Naperville residents in three different categories: Service to the Community, Service to Veterans and Service to Youth.
Two area high school students each were awarded a $1,500 scholarship for their service to the Naperville community. Grace Etzkorn of Benet Academy and Matthew Salerno of Metea Valley were the two recipients of the 2015 American Legion Post 43 Scholarship.
Representing the American Legion Post 43, Rowan Macwan, a Naperville high school student who is home-schooled, was honored for his participation in the National Oratorical Contest. After winning regional and state competitions, Macwan traveled to Indianapolis on April 12 for the finals where he finished in second place overall. During the 2015 Memorial Day Observance in Central Park that begins at 12:15PM Mon., May 25, Macwan will present his award-winning oratory “The Flame of Our Liberty.” In addition to tributes to fallen heroes, the annual observance will include patriotic music performed by the Naperville Municipal Band and the Kennedy Junior High School Choir.
During festivities on April 18, Past Commander Don Wehrli was recognized for 60 years of membership in the American Legion Post 43.
The Past Commanders Dinner was led by Post Commander Lee Lindberg, with assistance by Sergeant at Arms Roy Bonus, Post Chaplain Dick Komarek, Scholarship Chairman Bob Bohr, Past Commanders Wayne Fischer and Don Hennessy and Citizen of the Year Chairman Jim Vahle. Taps was played by Rich Yndestad.
Dinner was prepared by the world-famous Kendall Cooks with dessert bars by Commander Lee Lindberg.
2015 Citizens of the Year—Tracey Cowart, Wayne Fischer and Steve Mazzarella
Tracey Cowart for Service to the Community
Cowart works a multitude of programs for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, Grace Pointe Church, St. Baldrick’s and IndieBound Naperville. She organizes and executes monthly collections for various causes including Operation Support Our Troops, Loaves and Fishes Pantry, DuPage Public Acton to Deliver Shelter, the Walk to Defeat ALS, the Naperville Area Humane Society and Wayside Cross Ministries, in which 1,100 coats were collected and donated. She also performs on the bag pipes.
Wayne Fischer for Service to Veterans
Fischer is past Commander of Naperville American Legion Post 43, DuPage County and 11th District, and incoming Commander of the 2nd Divisiion. From major events recognizing the service of WW II and Korean era veterans, the upcoming Department of Defense – 50th Anniversary of Vietnam Commemoration, recognition of Blue Star families, Poppy Days, Post Officer recruitment, monthly dinners and serving as a trustee, and honoring deceased veterans, there is simply no activity in Naperville Post 43 to which he has not contributed. He is also a dedicated, active member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3873, serving as a trustee and chair of the Lenten Fish Fry Fund Raiser among many other contributions.
Steve Mazzarella for Service to Youth
As a respected and beloved teacher and diving coach at Naperville North High School, Mazzaella’s life work has involved youth. But the American Legion honors him for what he’s accomplished outside the classroom. He’s touched student’s lives by believing in them, by pouring time and energy into those who struggled, by caring about their outside activities and connecting to their real-life situations. These qualities were powerfully demonstrated by his deep involvement in Operation Snowball, a teen led substance abuse prevention program he mentored for over 20 years. His tireless energy, enthusiasm, ideas and belief in the teens made him a compelling positive influence on them.
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