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Post 21 Color Guard was honored to present our nations colors at St Joseph Catholic Academies Honor Wall Dedication. Color Guard members Phillip Morris, Milt Dean, John Argust, and Paul Ciarelli agreed that the new memorial to veteran alumni of St Joe’s was impressive and much appreciated by local veterans. Here are some photo’s of the event taken by Kenosha County Communications Manager Joe Potente. 

Please click on a photo for a slideshow of all photos.

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It’s Never Too Soon to Think About Golf, so take an early look at your 2023 Calendars and daydream a little!

SECOND ANNUAL 

PAUL HERRICK MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING

30 July 2023

Maplecrest Country Club

9401 18th St, Kenosha WI  53144

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This article is by guest author, Kenosha County Communications Manager, Joe Potente.

Being 101 years old didn’t stop Lillian Jilk from joining the American Legion two years ago.

And being 103 didn’t stop her from being present and smiling, when Legion Post 21 honored her for her two years as a continuous member and presented her with a lifetime membership and a Certificate of Honor in recognition of her World War II service.

Jilk was one of two centenarian women that the post honored Monday morning at the Casa del Mare Assisted Living and Memory Care facility on Kenosha’s north side.

Florence Klappa, 102, received a certificate and pin in honor of her 50 years of continuous membership of the American Legion Auxiliary. 

“We just wanted to thank you for your service and everything you’ve done,” said Post 21 Commander Matt Christensen, during a brief ceremony complete with cake and well wishes from American Legion members and some of the ladies’ Casa del Mare neighbors.

At 103, Jilk is Post 21’s oldest current member. A native of Minnesota and now a longtime resident of Kenosha, she joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps in 1942.

Stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes and later at a boot camp in Idaho and the Naval Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., she recalls treating sailors’ shrapnel wounds and other maladies.

“It was a good experience,” she said.

During Monday’s event, Kenosha County Veterans Services Director,and Post 21 member, Ali Nelson saluted Jilk for her service.

“That was a pivotal time in our history,” Nelson said. “Because without World War II veterans, we likely wouldn’t even have a country today.”

Sitting beside Jilk, Klappa wore a pin on her sweater — a spent 50-caliber machine gun shell that her late husband, Roger, created during his World War II service as a B-29 mechanic. Earlier this year, Klappa had the opportunity to see the plane her husband serviced when it was part of a traveling tour of World War II aircraft that made a stop at the Kenosha Regional Airport.

Despite becoming a widow in 1980, Klappa remained a consistent member of the American Legion Auxiliary Berens-Scribner Unit 6 post in Stevens Point, where she and her husband lived before moving to Kenosha in 1958.

“I’m more of a backseat person,” Klappa said, of her honors Monday morning.

On being 102, she said, “I feel good — it’s just my bones that don’t cooperate.”

Please click on a photo for a slideshow of all photos.

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This past Monday, April 25th, the Post was fortunate to host two of our active duty members. Coincidentally, they are sisters! ALA member Wendy Smith daughters Army Specialist Samantha Nicole Smith and Marine DI Sargent Gabrielle Renea Ortega were both home at the same time. That has to be rare (but hopefully not in Wendy’s case)! Thanks for stopping by.

Wendy provided some other photos as well…

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It’s always great to hear about our active duty members, but this one is extra awesome. ALA Member Wendy Smiths daughter Gabrelle had her 1st day as a DI 3-18-22 @ MCRD San Diego. They called her “The Scary Hat”. Mom’s pretty proud, and so are we!

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Congratulations to The American Legion, Kenosha Post 21 Finance Officer and Judge Advocate, Steve Tindall for his selection as Kenosha’s 1st Quarter 2022 Hometown Hero. The event last night during the City Council Meeting was attended by his family, friends and fellow Legionaries. Well deserved, Steve!

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After being awarded the 2021 4th quarter Hometown Hero this past December, last night Commander Thomas J. Visintainer Sr. was presented with an award for Hometown Hero of 2021. Congratulations Commander, well deserved!

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Contest Winners with American Legion Dept of WI Commander Greg Eirich and Post 21 Commander Thomas Visintainer

Congratulations to Elijah Bogar, Katelynn Ripper, and Joshua Cao, our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively. We were proud to have these three outstanding youths read their winning entries at our Pearl Harbor / Paul Herrick Memorial Service. The prizes were $500.00, $300.00, and $200 for the three high school students.

The American Legion, Wisconsin State Commander, Greg Eirich who traveled from Sheboygan for the days events, presented the awards. The commander gave a well received talk on leadership and the Legions Four Pillars of Service.

On hand to congratulate the winners was State Representative Samantha Kerkman who talked with the winners and their families at length.

It could be argued that writing (communications) is the most important tool of a leader. The simple act of deciding to do so by entering this contest is a good indication that we are dealing with future leaders of business / and or our communities. Seeing future leaders conversing with these two current leaders was a very welcome site, and a highlight of the evening.

We want to note that there was only one entry from a middle school student. We did not distinguish between age or school groups in this, our first year of having this contest. In that light, an Honorable Mention goes to 6th Grader Ryleigh Konitzer for her well done entry.

NOTE: to view a slideshow, click on the title of the article, then click on one of the pictures.

  • 3rd Place Winner Joshua Cao
  • Contest Winner Elijah Bogar and his family.
  • Elijah Bogar accepting his 1st place award
  • Joshua Cao and his Mother
  • Katelynn Ripper and her Family
  • Katelynn Ripper accepting her 2nd Place Award.
  • SAL Squadron Commander Elijah Bogar reading his winning entry.
  • 1st Place – Elijah Bogar
  • Katelynn Ripper presenting her 2nd place entry.
  • 2nd Place – Katelynn Ripper
  • Joshua Cao Reading his entry.
  • 3rd Place – Joshua Cao
  • 6th Grader Ryleigh Konitzer
  • Honorable Mention – 6th Grader Ryleigh Konitzer

Photo Credits: County Adjutant, Michael Hellquist