THE V-FORMATION
The Home of Fox River Post 4600
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
3002 Route 120 • McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-385-4600
Volume VI— Jul-Sep, 2014
McHenry County Patriot 5K Run Raises Funds for Our Veterans
First annual
run
for
veterans was
started about a
year and a half
ago to help
raise funds for
the Veterans Assistance
Commission and The Transitional
Living Services of McHenry
County. With the help of very
generous donations from the
event’s sponsors, all funds raised
for the race will be donated to help
our veterans in the county. It was a
great turnout with hundreds of
participants in the 5K run and 1
July 4th
Picnic @ The “V”
Time: 12:00 Noon
Food and fun with fellow
Veterans to celebrate our
Nation’s Independence
2nd Annual Veterans Golf Outing a Hole in One
for MCHS Memorial
The 2nd Annual Veterans golf outing brought in bigger numbers
than last year’s outing. Boone Creek hosted 73 golfers and 85 hungry
people at the dinner afterwards. In support of the MCHS Vietnam
War Memorial the VFW event raised $4,000 for their fund. Another
sign that McHenry residents do care about their veterans. The good
news is that there will be a 3rd annual golf outing and it’s already
scheduled for June 15th, 2015. Practice your golf swings to
Page 2—Post 4600 News and Events
www.mchenryvfw.org
Commander’s Corner
Post Officers
Greetings Comrades!!
I hope this finds you well. Summer is upon us and Veterans activities do
not stop to take a break. Once again I will serve you as your commander
for the 2014-2015 year, I am honored to serve you all and will do my
best. The senior staff is up to the tasks at hand and will be working very
hard to accomplish them. I would like to take this time to thank Tom
McCormack our Past Senior Vice Commander for his excellent work for
our post, Tom has shown us all what it takes to get things accomplished.
Tom remains on the board and is a valued member of this post. Once
again Tom, thank you from all of the post members for serving our post
and still serving at this great post. Last but not least, thank you to our
Past Quartermaster Chris Mauer for his 14 years as your quartermaster.
Chris, I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to you as you stood
up for our post, but I believe it is time for you to stand down and take a
well deserved break. Also comrades, when you see these two fellow
comrades, please take the time to shake their hand and thank them for
their time spent supporting your post.
This past year was a busy one for the post, take my word for it. I would
like to quote our Senior Vice Commander, Jeff Homeier, that there is a
"BUZZ" going on here at the club as we have seen an up tick in our
attendance throughout the week. The "V" is the place to be for great
food and conversation! So pay attention and get your car moving in our
direction as space may fill quickly. New tables are now in the small room
and have made a great improvements to the decor. The staff has been
great and we are setting the bar higher so we can keep the momentum
going forward. Many thanks to Riley Bowes, your club manager who has
increased our business and who takes the time to greet and talk to the
customers and comrades who visit our establishment. In addition, our
food has been great, thanks to our own "Chef Brad" who serves us at our
post meetings and during the week. Don't forget Friday Fish Fry and
daily (except for Monday's) specials, I sure don't!!!! The board has
stepped up to the challenge and with many meetings under our belts, we
are embarking on some plans to take this momentum to the next level. I
would like to thank our board for all the countless hours you spend here
at the post and doing for the post. Most of what we do best is to keep the
funds coming in to serve our veterans in need. Forgive me if I have
forgotten to mention someone or something here as I know many work
very hard and I truly appreciate it.
COMMANDER
Ronnie Reber
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER
Jeff Homeier
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER
Bob Lungren
QUARTERMASTER
Ray Rigsby
JUDGE ADVOCATE
Ben Keefe
CHAPLAIN
Gary Snell
SURGEON
Virginia Stubblefield
ADJUTANT (Appt. Pos)
Mike Wisniewski
SERVICE OFFICER
(Appt. Pos)
Randy Patterson
www.mchenryvfw.org
Commander’s Corner (continued)
As I am completing this "Commanders Corner" it is
Flag Day, June 14th, 2014. I look back at the folks I
met and what took place today. Many post members
were in attendance, yet the crowd was slim, but not
without out a great story to share. In the past the last
flag retired is usually retired by the Commander and
the Senior Vice Commander before taps is played.
Today we varied from tradition and WWII Veteran
Jim Bailey and I retired the last flag and saluted together for taps. Also a lone girl scout named Freedom, who for the second year in a row came to help.
I was honored to help retire a few flags with her and
at the completion of the day's activities I presented
to Freedom my American Flag / Air Force pin which
I removed from my hat, which she said she would
proudly wear on her girl scout vest. Special thanks
to Bonnie and Tom McCormack who handed out
bracelets with stars and flags on them to all in attendance. Today was one of those days I cherish as
your post commander.
Our annual 4th of July picnic will soon be here and
our Chaplain "AKA" Gary Snell will bless the meal
first at 12:00 noon. All the works of good food and
fun will be present and Brad I hope you will be serving some corn on the cob...... This is a great time to
bring your family, meet some new faces and make
some new friends. I hope to see some new faces and
shake some hands. So please come hungry and go
away satisfied for this annual event held at your post.
Next up is the VFW steak fry, which will be held on
August 23rd, 2014 starting at 5:00 PM. There will
Page 3—Post 4600 News and Events
be a great band present too boot, the last time this
band was here the dance floor was full. That was the
first time that I have ever seen the floor full or at
least someone dancing with every song played. So
mark it down on your calender!! Come support your
post for also this annual event. Hope to see you
there.
Finally, a final thought to our comrades at the
PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) where
on Mother's Day a fire ravaged their post home. I
have reached out to Commander Cliff Schmidt to
help out as much as we can. There are some fundraisers on the horizon and if you can help out I encourage you all to do so. It is the right thing to do in
their time of need. Please keep them in your prayers
for wisdom and guidance at this time of need. We
work together on many projects throughout the year
with the PLAV and this devastating fire has more
than likely weighed them down some. So if you can,
lend a hand and show them your support.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my "bride"
Diane for her support during my last 4 years as Commander of Post 4600 and her continued support in
my upcoming term as your commander. She understands that the veterans are near and dear to me. Her
father at 89 is a WWII and Korean War veteran and
has learned from comrades some history of these
wars. She calls the "V" her 2nd home and her 2nd
family.
Till then Comrades see you at the "V"!!
Commander Ronnie Reber
Board Members Making Strides with Post Improvements
If you have been to the post lately for dinner in the middle room, you
might have noticed the new tables. To help accommodate the increase of
patrons visiting the Post for dinner, the larger tables have been removed
to be replaced with smaller 2, 4, or 6 seat tables to allow for more sitting
room. Plans are also in the works for replacing the existing sign on route
120 with a larger LED sign to help bring the public into the Post. Five
new flat screen TVs have been installed in the main hall to help with the Bingo patrons as well. Andy
Diedrich has been making landscaping beautifications to the front of the Post by planting some roses along the
walkway leading to the Normandy Room. Over the next couple of years, many more improvements will be
taking place, so come down to The “V” and see what’s new.
Page 4—Post 4600 News and Events
Please remember to
have all VFW
Newsletter submissions
into the Editors by
Sept. 12th for the
Oct - Dec 2014
Issue
www.mchenryvfw.org
VFW Event Dates
Board of Directors
July 1st
Cooties Meeting
July 4th
Independence Day Festivities
VICE PRESIDENT
Evan Maniates
July 7th
QUARTERMASTER
Ray Rigsby
Post Meeting 6:30pm
5th District
August 17th
Sequoit Post 4551
75 North Avenue
Antioch, IL 60002
11am Memorial Service
12pm Lunch
1pm Meeting
Men’s Auxiliary Event
Dates
July 7th
Meeting 7:00pm
August 4th
Meeting 7:00pm
August 9th
July 17th
TREASURER
Randy Patterson
Post Board Meeting 7:00pm
August 4th
Post Meeting 6:30pm
August 5th
Cooties Meeting
August 21st
Board Meeting 7:00pm
August 23rd
Steak Fry at The “V” 5:00pm
September 1st
Post Meeting 6:30pm
September 2nd
Cooties Meeting
September 6th
Car Show 11am to 4:30pm
Post Blood Drive
8:30am to 11:30am
September 1st
September 18
Meeting 7:00pm
PRESIDENT
Jeff Homeier
Post Board Meeting 7:00pm
Ladies Auxiliary Event
Dates
July 9th
Meeting 7pm
August 13th
Meeting 7pm
September 10th
Meeting 7pm
www.mchenryvfw.org
Page 5—Post 4600 News and Events
NEWS FROM PAT DIEDERICH
LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT 2013-2015
Dear Ladies and Veterans,
Elections were held in May & our slate remains same except for
chaplain & conductress. List to follow. Spring fling had many happy
purse winners! All purses had nice prizes in them! We will be doing
this again next year. Cooties aux held their raffle for cub tickets &
Linda Funk was the winner! Poppies & donation container are on
bar for those who didn't get chance to participate. Patriots in the
park will be in august. We will have a table so come see us.
POST 4600
Ladies Auxiliary
Officers
PRESIDENT
Pat Diederich
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AUXILIARY VET & FAMILY SERVICE/CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM
First off… I wish to thank the McHenry VFW Post Commander and
Members - for all their cooperation and assistance which is so helpful and
necessary for the continuation of this wonderful Program. And to the
Post’s kitchen staff – for feeding all the volunteer workers who roll up
their sleeves to get the sorting and packing job done. Thank You so very
much.
This ever evolving “Care Package Program” is growing. It is one of the
largest in the 5th District. The number of soldiers being sent to, and the
number of packages being filled with community donated items, increases
with every C/Pkg Packing Party. The last two “Efforts” resulted in around
180 packages. This latest “Effort” resulted in over 233 packages going to
over 58 soldiers – and each package contained enough to share with at
least 3 to 5 others. Spiffy!
Names and overseas addresses of soldiers are always looked for. There
are many within this community who have stepped forward and are now
doing their duty overseas. We are here to serve them. If you have a “name
& address” – be you near or far, we want that info so that we may send
some of the good things they once had at home. Keep in mind that we are
also giving comfort and support to their families. Donations of goods are
always needed. An Overseas Care Package List is available at the Post
Home or on-line by contacting me.
Our next “Care Package Packing Party” effort is hoped for near the end of
July/early August. All this goodness depends on incoming supplies and
postal funds. Sending out these vital and morale-boosting packages is an
expensive proposition and donations for the postage are always needed
and muchly appreciated. Over 200 packages filled to near bursting costs
the C/P Program over $3,090.
Letter Continued on Page 10
SENIOR VICE
Joyce Miller
JUNIOR VICE
Linda Funk
TREASURER
Ruthanne Ozark-Kuss
SECRETARY
Meg Seier-Hood
CHAPLAIN
Patricia Baur
CONDUCTRESS
Cynthia Prusko
GUARD
Betty Thompson
1ST YEAR TRUSTEE
Denise Bogacz
2ND YEAR TRUSTEE
Nancy Diederich
3RD YEAR TRUSTEE
Barbara Klapperich
Page 6—Post 4600 News and Events
www.mchenryvfw.org
News from the Men's Auxiliary
Greetings from the men's auxiliary, Post 4600,
We hope everyone is enjoying their summer now that it has arrived. To
add to the summer fun, plan on attending our 2nd annual car show on
August 9th, at the post, from 11 to 4:30. Besides the fantastic cars,
motorcycles, and trucks, this year we've added a "big" tractor class.
Don't forget the corn roast, kids activities, raffles, beer truck, and band.
After the show, the post is hosting complimentary appetizers from 5 to
7, and a band from 7 to 11:30 for a $5 cover charge.
In other news from the auxiliary, at our June meeting, the newly
elected officers were installed. Returning to continue supporting the post
as President, is Greg Carroll, Sr. Vice Pres. Charlie Wegener, Jr. Vice
Pres. Elroy Fitzgerald, Treasurer Jim Carroll, Secretary Scott Freund,
Chaplin Charles Starke, and Trustee Jeff Carroll. We are all looking
forward to another year of great things happening at the Post.
Thank you,
The Men's Auxiliary, Post 4600
POST 4600
Men’s Auxiliary
Officers
PRESIDENT
Greg Carroll
SENIOR VICE
Charlie Wegener, Jr.
TREASURER
Jim Carroll
SECRETARY
Scott Freund
CHAPLAIN
Charles Starke
GUARD
Dave Sherrill
1ST YEAR TRUSTEE
Jeff Carroll
2ND YEAR TRUSTEE
Ross Polerecky
3RD YEAR TRUSTEE
Tim Carroll
MCHS Class of 1964 Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Raffle
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
$2500.00
$1000.00
$ 500.00
Proceeds to fund the memorial for the
four McHenry men who died in
Vietnam.
Tickets are 2 for $10.00
Drawing held on Nov 1st or when all
www.mchenryvfw.org
Page 7—Post 4600 News and Events
May this flag be placed next
to your grave in remembrance
for giving the ultimate
sacrifice for your country.
May we never forget our
fallen warriors who have left
their country so that it’s
citizens can have their
freedoms present today.
Page 8—Post 4600 News and Events
www.mchenryvfw.org
www.mchenryvfw.org
Page 9—Post 4600 News and Events
“Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky. “
Oliver Wendell Holmes in
"Old Ironsides"
Page 10—Post 4600 News and Events
The Veterans Assistance
Commission of McHenry County
www.mchenryvfw.org
Looking For Dates, Times and
Locations With Many of Our Events?
The Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry
County Provides services to the local veterans
community in the areas of Financial
Assistance,
VA Claims & Advocacy, Transportation to the North
Chicago VA Medical Center, and Referrals
Assistance.
Can’t get enough of our Veterans?
Phone (815) 334-4229
Follow us
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/
departments/vac/Pages/index.aspx
Visit our website:
www.mchenryvfw.org
Facebook - McHenry VFW Post
#4600
Or
Twitter - @McHenryVFW
AUXILIARY VET & FAMILY SERVICE/CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM (continued)
They need us. Please help us to help them.
Sincerest of “Thank You’s” to all who help to organize, collect, donate, pack and make this minor miracle of
patriotic compassion possible… over and over again.
Barbara Klapperich, 5th District Senior Vice President
Auxiliary 4600 Vet & Family Service Chair
Care Package Program; Past President
Ph: 815-385-8128 e: [email protected]
We at Fob Fenty want to thank you for the
care packages. It’s always nice to get a little
piece of home and to know there are people
who care about us back in the states =]
Hello there!
We received the care packages and we want to
send a big Thank you; and thank you to Fox
River ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 4600 for the
care packages! The Soldiers of the 108th SB
(currently overseas) really appreciate it!
Have a great day and God bless.
Very Respectfully,
SSG Denisse Ocasio-Torres
108th Sustainment Brigade
Unit Ministry Team NCOIC
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait 09366
Zone 6, Triad Trailer #1
You will never see someone get so happy to
get Ramen and crackers or a set of dice. We
want to thank you for what you are doing for
deployed soldiers. You give that little boost
to keep fighting on and getting the job here
in Afghanistan done.
SPC Phillips
C co 1-502 101st ABN
Page 11— Post 4600 News and Events
TAPS
Are you Hungry?
Come down to the Post and feed that hunger.
Tuesday
$1.25 Tacos and $3 Corona Bottles
Wednesday
$5 1/2lb Burgers with Chips and $0.75 Drafts
Thursday
$4 Beef and $2 Lite - Coors Lite Bottles
Friday
$9.95 All-U-Can-Eat Fish Fry with $3 Blue Moon
and Sam Adams Pints
Ed Harms
Saturday
$0.50 wings with minimum of 10 and $6.00 pitchers
Sunday
$4 Sloppy Joe with chips and
$1.75 Pints
VFW Life Membership
Benefits of Life Membership:
• Never pay annual dues again, no
more dues reminders.
• An Accidental Policy that will
never be cancelled due to nonpayment of annual dues.
• Lifetime subscription of VFW
Magazine.
Life Membership Fees
Age
One-Time Installment
Payment
Payment
18-30
$425
$38.64
31-40
$410
$37.27
41-50
$375
$34.09
51-60
$335
$30.45
61-70
$290
$26.36
71-80
$225
$20.45
81+
$170
$15.45
Blood Drive
@ The Post
Date: September 6th
Illinois Department of
Veterans’ Affairs
Time: 8:30 to 11:30am
1-800-437 -9824
(within Illinois)
217-782-6641
(out of state)
Website: http://
www2.illinois.gov/
veterans/Pages/default.aspx
VFW Fox River Post 4600
3002 Route 120
McHenry, Illinois 60050
Phone: (815) 385-4600
Fax: (815) 385-6011
Presorted
U.S. Postage
PAID
McHenry, IL 60051
Permit No. 31
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Contact Newsletter Editors:
Dwane Lungren
[email protected]
847-293-9455
Michelle Lungren
[email protected]
847-977-0996
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