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Chevrolet MeHENRVS FAVORITE StZSZZSSSS mmLET VFW Post 4600 • „ v->r> • " ' . - ' . Serve Veteran, Exists To * ' Fam ily AUGUST 6, 1*75 . PLAINDEALER CENTENNIAL EDITION-PAGE 4 Veterans Honoring Veterans - £ Forty-Two Sign Charter Of VFW Ladies Auxiliary The Ladies auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4600 of McHenry received the charter from the national organization March 4, 1946. The forty-two women whose names appear on the charter are as follows: Luella Graham, Mayme Jackson, Blanche Nugent, Elaine Justen, Mildred Reese, Pauline Pries, Helen Low, Wanda Pries, Darlene Kennebeck, Elinor Pries, Lottie Bransford, Bessie Comrs, Marion Schoenholtz, Marilyn R. Harrison, Helen Hettermann, Lina Kilday, Leatha Frye, Betty Clark, Betty Kilday, Florence Knox, Isabella Kellner, Adelia Karls, Mayme King, Olivia Keenan, Patricia Koenig, Evelyn Murphy, Catherine J. Meyer, Freida Granger, Helen Kreutzer, Ida Kreutzer, Marion Winters, Lillian Unti, Bette Gende, Helen Knight, Gean Brennen, Mary Hettermann, Georgia Weidrich, Christine Fay, Louise Kramer, Isabelle McVickers, Vivian Kramer and Catherine Duesler. The meetings of the Ladies auxiliary were held in St. Mary--St. Patrick school hall when first organized and chartered. Presiding at the first meetings was Pauline Pries, who was president until Lina Kilday took office in April of 1947. The auxiliary assisted the post in observing Poppy day for the first time in May of 1946 and they have continued to do so every year since then. During 1947 the ladies agreed to assist the post in the pur­ chase of the property where the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600 now stands on Route 120. ^Jack Hopkins, the winner of the essay contest sponsored ACTIVE WORLD WAR I VETERANS (Continued from page 3) alive friendships and memories of World War I. The membership in the Department of Illinois reached its peak in 1962-1963 when there were over 13,000 members. This number has declined since so that latest figures in 1974 totaled 7,059. The first national com­ mander was Buddy Lewis Brake, Mt. Vernon, 111., and McHenry furnished the com­ mander for the Department of Illinois, 1969-70, Harry C. Lock. Buddy Lock is also past commander of the 9th district. locally by the post and auxiliary, went on to become the winner of the state contest. Heleh Knight was the first auxiliary president to preside over a meeting held in the new V.F.W. building. This was in May, 1948. It also was at this time that the auxiliary began to equip the kitchen, which was the beginning of the equipment that has enabled them to cater the many dinners over the past twenty-five years. In September, 1948, Mary Hettermann filled the office of president for the balance of the year due to a vacancy. April, 11, 1949, was the first meeting that Ercell Lock presided over as president of the auxiliary for the 1949-1950 year. In 1950 Betty Hauk 1 ^came president, followed by ^ouise Smith in 1951. Many projects were sponsored during the years since the auxiliary received their charter, some of which are the V.F.W. National home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., Downey and Hines Veterans hospitals and youth groups., Betty Clark held the office of president in 1952, during which time organizations received support from the auxiliary. Some of those were Boy Scouts, March of Dimes, Johnsburg Rescue Squad, American Red Cross and the Cancer drive. April 13, 1953, found the local essay contest winner to be Ruth Schaefer. It was at this time that Helen Low was elected to the office of president. During the year she presided, the auxiliary continued support of its many interests. A special project was begun which enabled the auxiliary to make a generous donation to^ the McHenry Public library. In March, 1954, Gert Barbian , was elected president, to take office in April of the same year. Additional organizations which received support from the auxiliary during this time were * the Girl Scouts, polio and cerebral palsy. Early in 1955, the auxiliary began providing hot lunches to special children attending the local schools. An otltside American flag was presented to the new fire house in McHenry. The receipt of a certificate of recognition was recommended by Downey Veterans hospital. Many cash gifts have been forwarded to Downey as well as members attending to work with the patients. During April of 1955, Gert Barbian was elected to hold the office of president for a second term. Also in April, the auxiliary sponsored the Salk polio vaccine at the post home. The auxiliary entered "Community Service" com­ petition with the post, and that year placed thirteenth in the state. From time to time more organizations are supported by the auxiliary, however, the main purpose is to aid the veteran and his family. This has continued to increase with hours and items given to Downey Veterans hospital by the local members. Foster Parents plan, Heart fund drive and Woodstock Children's home are some of the ad­ ditional organizations sup­ ported. Pauline Pries was elected to serve as president of the auxiliary in 1956. During this year, as well as other years in the past, bake sales, card parties and rummage sales have been held to raise funds to support the many programs sponsored locally. Elected for the office of president during 1957 was Florence Svoboda. Among the many American flags that have been donated to other organizations, 1957 was no exception. One of the largest spon­ sorships the auxiliary has undertaken is the Fiesta day queen contest. This has taken place at the post home for several years and will continue for many more. From the State of Illinois came a Poppy award for participation in the "Poppy" program. The Ladies' auxiliary, along with the post, participated in aiding the needy for the Christmas holidays. This was done in cooperation with other local organization^. This came under the "Community Ser­ vice" project along with the presentation of a $100 scholarship to a nursing student from the McHenry area. The year of 1958 found Gert Barbian serving as president a second time. After the remodeling of the kitchen, new equipment was needed to better facilitate the serving of meals. The community grew and along with it there was an in­ crease in the^ donation of American flags to Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts. The March, 1959, meeting, when election of officers took place, resulted in Daisy Smith being elected president. To serve a second term as president, Daisy Smith was elected at the March, 1960, meeting. During this term that was headed by Daisy the auxiliary presented another nursing scholarship; however, this one was for the full three years. A dance to raise funds for the McHenry hospital maternity wing was sponsored by the auxiliary. Florence Svoboda was elected to the office of president again in March of 1961. In "Community Service" competition, after placing in the Fifth district competition, the post and auxiliary entry was forwarded to the State of Illinois judging. The results of the judging placed the local entry in seventh place. For the third time in six years, Florence Svoboda was elected to the office of president of the auxiliary to succeed herself in that office in 1962. A V.F.W. Junior Girls unit was formed in the fall of 1962, under the guidance of the auxiliary. In the year of 1963, election of officers was held in April, when Genevieve Bradley was elected to the office of president. In reports given from the Fifth district meeting and convention, information was given that Americanism Chairman, Viola Schuble had earned a third place plaque and Community Service Chairman Vivian Meek had earned a citation. During December the members remembered the less fortunate by giving canned goods to be used in food baskets at Christmas and by giving toiletries and other items to be given to the patients at Downey Veterans hospital. The "Voice of Democracy" essay contest winner this year was Mykell Freund. A card party was held in the spring of 1964, enabling the auxiliary to continue support of organizations and to also support "Radio Free Europe", McHenry County Historical society, and Illinois Association for Crippled Children. The election of officers resulted in Genevieve Bradley being elected to succeed herself as president during the year 1964. The 1965 winner of the annual (Continued on page 5) Plans for the observance of Veterans day each year falls to the the memorial marker in the city park during one of the Veterans members of McHenrv Barracks, No. 1315, World War I Veterans, day programs. Above, Clyde Blackwell and Harold "Pat" Owen are shown before STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD The Fox River Post VFW was mustered in during the Fall of 1945. The first two or three meetings, were held in the McHenry city hall building. LeRoy "Jack" Keenan held the office of commander until a regular set of officers could be elected and appointed in March of 1946. St. Mary's School basement became the meeting place and 63 charter members made up the first muster. A ladies' auxiliary was soon formed and met on the same night as the men in the same location. Among the first officers elected for a full term were LeRoy (Jack) Keenan, com­ mander; Richard Justen, senior vice-commander; Ar­ thur Smith, Jr., junior vice- commander, and Wallace (Gene) Dobyns, quar­ termaster. Mervin L. Schoenholtz was appointed adjutant and later was elected commander to finish out the term vacated by Keenan. After a successful carnival held in McHenry city park in August, '47, the V.F.W. Veteran's club, a State of Illinois approved not-for-profit subsidiary of Post 4600, pur­ chased 14 acres of land known as Conway's woods. The first wing of the present building was started late in '47 and dedicated in the Spring of '48. At various times before 1960, three sizable additions were built. The grounds have been improved with a sizable picnic area complete with cement tables and benches, plus three regulation ball fields,one field for 16" ball has lights for night games. Another lighted field is home to many, many Little League players. The third field is the scene of many a thrilling Pony League game. All fields are kept in excellent playing condition through the efforts of local citizens both in and out of the V.F.W. Fox River Post 4600 and its auxiliary have received many high and-or outstanding awards from the State and National Veterans of Foreign Wars. The hospital work and en­ tertainment performed for disabled veterans at nearby Veterans' Administration units has been lauded most highly by district, state and national veterans' organizations. Some other services per­ formed by Post 4600 include the sponsorship of Boy and Girl Scout units, high school oral and written patriotism contest, and bringing carnival en­ tertainment to the public. Fox River Post 4600 mem­ bership feels that it has many important commitments, duties, and services to carry on far into the future. Solving the problems of the living veterans and-or their families of the present and recent wars make up the main reason for the existence of the post. To promote patriotism and citizenship among present and future generations if an ever present aim to be fostered by the Post. Present Commander is Robert Freund VFW CLUBHOUSE Known for may years as Townsend Chevrolet, Schwerman's Chevrolet and then Clark Chevrolet, has established a tradition of service and dependability that the people of McHenry have relied upon for decades. We intend to continue our high level of business ethics. A satisfied customer is our most valuable asset. 3am £S President PAYTON CARS PHONE: 385-2100 HWY 31 SOUTH McHENRY