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!
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