Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Highland, Illinois VFW Post 5694 75th Anniversary

 

Highland Post 5694 75th Anniversary Celebration

When Illinois Past State Commander Russ Rieke invited me to attend his Post’s 75th, I eagerly accepted.  He asked me well over 6 months ago and I blocked the date on my calendar…I’m glad I did!  The Post isn’t too far from my home so it was nice to make an appearance that didn’t require multiple airports and hotels.  I just had to show up and enjoy spending time in this beautiful Pocket of Patriotism in the heartland of America.  Nestled on 24 acres, the grounds include four baseball fields, a Korean War Era jet, 105mm Howitzer cannon, and an AH-1 Cobra helicopter that flew over 100 missions in Vietnam.  They have many more memorials throughout their beautifully manicured land.

The Post was originally chartered by World War I veterans as Post 1234 which, in an amazing coincidence, is also the combination on my suitcase.  When the Second World War started many of these veterans went back into service. As a result, they turned in their Charter and fought to preserve democracy. Returning home, they knew they wanted to continue sharing the bonds of service they had forged.  In a scene eerily reminiscent of the founding of the VFW in 1899, a group of them met at a local  business called Bucket’s Tavern and decided to become a VFW Post again.  Shortly after, it was renumbered to 5694 and the names of over TWO HUNDRED charter members live on in that document that proudly hangs on the wall in their hall.  Yes, over 200 veterans came together after the war to once again share their lives.  Service, once realized, never leaves your system.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars provides that opportunity to all eligible veterans. Commander Russ created an extensive history of the Post and I wish more Posts had a document like this.  It’s a historical chronicle of everything the Post has gone through over the years.  If we don’t preserve our history we will lose it forever.  All attendees received a  copy of this well researched history.  Thank you Russ for perpetuating the memory and history of Post 5694!

The day long celebration was a fun event.  Veterans, family members, community members and local politicians came to enjoy this historic day.  Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ROTC members came out and assisted in many areas.  They even helped some of the older attendees during dinner by walking through the buffet line with them, filling plates with delicious foods and taking people back to their chairs.  Interestingly, many of these future leaders were previously enlisted in the military.  They finished their service and are now attending University on the GI Bill.  They are all looking forward to graduating and being commissioned as officers in the military!  What patriotism!

A highlight for me was the opportunity to spend time with WWII Army veteran Roland Harris.  Roland is 95 years old and has been a member of the VFW for 75 years…as long as this Post has been in existence under the new Charter.  Roland was wearing his WWII uniform and proudly walked me through his island hopping experiences in the Pacific Theater of the War.  Just Wow!  History from a man who lived through it. I truly was sitting in a Hall of Heroes!

Friends, wherever you are, if you get invited to a VFW Post anniversary…GO!  You will leave with a smile on your face and renewed sense of how great America is because of it’s veterans!



Roland Harris, WWII Veteran!





EVERY Community Activity book since 1946.  An historian's dream!


Page 1, Book 1, Year 1!!!


 

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