Naperville American Legion Post 43 first recognized a Citizen of the Year in 1986.
Again in 2025, the Naperville American Legion seeks community assistance to identify deserving candidates that will include input from local American Legion and VFW members.
The nominee’s service must be in support of the Naperville area or its bordering communities. Members of the American Legion, Sons of the Legion, VFW, and Auxiliary are eligible, but the award is open to honor volunteers from throughout the community. The service must have been performed in a volunteer capacity, rather than as part of compensated employment.
According to co-chairman Rich Yndestad, anyone may nominate a candidate by sending a letter or email that includes a comprehensive description of the services the nominee performed, the time frame, duration, and significance of the service to others, and the category they are being nominated for, along with the name and contact information for the nominee and the person offering the nomination. Letters from others endorsing the nominee are encouraged.
Naperville is blessed with people who serve their fellow citizens. Typically, the judges have a very difficult task, noted Yndestad.
Comprehensive information, attachments and endorsements may be included, and are of great help to the committee in selecting the winner. Nominations may be mailed to The American Legion Post 43, Citizen of the Year, Post Office Box 4, Naperville, 60566 or emailed to r.yndestad@yahoo.com to arrive no later than March 31, 2025.
The winner will be announced in the local media and honored at The American Legion’s Awards and Recognition Banquet on April 19, 2025.
“So, fire up your keyboard; sharpen your pencil; and make sure the selection committee knows about your candidate,” wrote Yndestad.
Find information on recent Citizens of the Years and their contributions posted at naperlegion.org.
For more information, contact Yndestad or co-chairman Nadia Baran at rios.nadia@gmail.com.