Above / During the annual American Legion Post 43 Past Commanders Dinner held at the Judd Kendall VFW, members recognized Adam Van Someren, Ariana Van Someren, Lee Lindberg and Lauren Evans as “Citizens of the Year.” Cher Lindberg, Lee’s daughter; and Commander Tom Evans, Lauren’s husband, also are pictured.
During the annual American Legion Post 43 Past Commanders Dinner held at the Judd Kendall VFW on April 16, members of the Legion and guests recognized every leader of the Veterans’ organization since it was chartered on August 1, 1920.
For 30 years, the American Legion Post 43 Annual Past Commanders Dinner also has served as a time to honor its “Citizen of the Year.”
According to Jim Vahle, Legion publicist who serves committees for the Citizen of the Year event as well as the high school oratorical scholarship contest, the American Legion Post 43 has recognized a Citizen of the Year in three categories since 2014: Service to the Community, Service to Veterans and Service to Youth.
Lee Lindberg: Citizen of the Year for Service to the Community
Lindberg’s nominators describe him as the consummate example of Good Citizenship by virtue of his positive example, willingness to help others and efforts to give back to the community.
During his time as Commander, American Legion Post 43 received many state and national awards for its involvement in the community. Lindberg was deeply involved, directly or indirectly, in all of them. He consistently participates in visits to Hines VA Hospital, Senior Living Centers in Naperville , quarterly mass burials at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, school visits around Veterans Day, and Boy Scout events.
Lindberg speaks frequently to civic and youth organizations in the community. He supports Naperville Cares, is a very active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, and he is well known for preparing sumptuous desserts and authoring a column of dessert recipes that is published in Positively Naperville.
Some say his greatest attribute is his friendship and offer of a helping hand to all he meets.
—Jim Vahle
Lauren Evans: Citizen of the Year for Service to Veterans
During Lauren Evans’ 20 years in the Navy Reserves, she rose to the rank of Commander. She served on active duty at the Army/Air Force Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
More recently, she has served as editor of Post 43’s “Keeping Posted” since 2011 and photographer at the events it covered. During that period the newsletter was awarded the Department of Illinois’ Best Newsletter-Large Posts, four times.
As co-administrator of Naperville’s contribution to the American Legion’s Centennial Webpage, she spent countless hours researching Post 43’s history. She serves as Chairperson of the Post’s Illinois Girls State program, inspiring young women to gain confidence in themselves and to make a difference in the future for our country.
Evans is an accomplished speaker on the role women have played in the military services since our country’s founding , and a promoter of their current, ever growing importance to the military.
—Jim Vahle
Adam & Ariana Van Someren: Citizens of the Year for Service to Youth
360 Youth Services has provided services to youth and families in the Naperville community for 45 years through counseling, housing for homeless youth and substance abuse prevention education.
Outbuildings on its property had deteriorated, jeopardizing the aesthetic look of the property and the safety of the young people who come on site. It was determined that they had to come down, but 360 Youth Services could not afford the cost, estimated to be in excess of $20,000.
Adam Van Someren, owner of Charleston Building and Development, stepped in and the project was completed at no cost to 360 Youth Services.
When Oriana Van Someren learned of the financial challenges facing 360 Youth Services as a result of the state’s budget impasse, she stepped up with ideas to generate funds for the agency. Along with two other women, she organized an event, Scrambling for 360, that raised over $13,000 awareness of 360 Youth Services in the Community and brought 360’s leaders in contact with new faces to engage in their mission.
In the words of Katy LeClair, CEO of 360 Youth Services, “Adam and Oriana Van Someren are extraordinary people, deeply devoted to the youth of our community.”
—Jim Vahle
Scholarship Winners / Patrick Hill and Sarvasva Raghuvanshi
Patrick Hill and Sarvasva Raghuvanshi were awarded $1500 scholarships each in a competition involving academic achievement, leadership in the school and community, community service, patriotic involvement and an essay describing the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.
Hill and Raghuvanshi are both members of the Class of 2016 at Neuqua Valley High School.
Raghuvanshi, who sent a letter of gratitude, was unable to accept his scholarship award in person as he was out of town looking at colleges for next year, Vahle said.
7th & 8th Grade Constitutional Speech Contest Winners
Middle school students recently were recognized for their participation in the Naperville American Legion Post 43’s 7th and 8th Grade Constitutional Speech contest on April 9. Nicole Tong from Kennedy Jr. High received 1st Place and Neha Ramachandran from Madison Jr. High earned 2nd Place. The students will advance to the DuPage County Contest to be held on April 17, 2016, at Cantigny Park.
American Legion Post 43
Since 1920, the Naperville American Legion Post 43 has welcomed Veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces.
For more info about American Legion Post 43, its many programs, socials, dinners served by Kendall Cooks and its service to the community, visit www.naperlegion.org.
Note also that the annual Naperville Memorial Day Parade, hosted by the City of Naperville and organized by the American Legion Post 43 and the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, steps off at 10:30AM, Mon., May 30, in downtown Naperville. The tradition is another time to show gratitude to all military men, women and families for giving the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
News submitted by Jim Vahle for the Naperville American Legion Post 43.
Additional photos from the American Legion Post 43 Social have been uploaded by James Hoch Photography.
