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Randolph Granger joined Post 21 forty years ago to help a friend work Kenosha’s 4th of July fireworks display which was performed by Post 21 at the time.  He remembers those days fondly.  He had been at the post previously, “as a kid” when the Post hosted teen dances.

Randy Granger with his latest donation

At our August member meeting Randy presented the post with the pictured artwork which is a signed pen and ink drawing of the USS Arizona (BB-39) Underway.  The work was created on the 40th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. In the past, he also donated other items, such as another framed picture of the Arizona Memorial, a picture of a funeral caisson, and a Legion Police Badge.   The Grangers have a long legacy in the Legion as Randy’s

father used to write articles for The American Legion Magazine.Randy and his wife Lori, a US Army veteran herself, are currently downsizing and thought that Post 21 was the right place for it. Randy assured us he will come down from time to time to visit us and have a look at a favorite old picture. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Granger!

Update: Friends and family are invited to celebrate George’s life at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, May 22, 2025, with a visitation from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Services will start at 6:00 pm, followed by full military honors. There will be a gathering at Post 21 afterwards.

George Peter, 101, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, a World War II Navy veteran and dedicated member of American Legion Post 21, passed away peacefully at 10:15 PM on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Born September 22, 1923, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, George proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Navy as a Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class.

Following boot camp, George trained aboard Sub-Chaser 1349. He remembered cruises off the North Carolina Coast where they fired K Guns and rolled all the Depth charges. He hated the K-guns because 25 ounces of black powder shaped like marbles were so loud that they hurt. That’s a big statement from a lifelong weapons enthusiast. He was later transferred to Little Creek and assigned to USS LSM(R) 198, a Landing Ship Medium (Rocket), whose maiden voyage was to Pearl Harbor, becoming part of the Fifth Fleet in the Asiatic Pacific theater.

Though George would modestly claim he “didn’t see much of the battle” from his post in the engine room, historical records and his own recollections tell a different story. During the fierce Battle of Okinawa, he witnessed Japanese dive bombers firsthand while his ship, USS LSM-R 198, delivered crucial shore bombardment support throughout the campaign. In one particularly harrowing incident, a sister ship just 200-300 yards away was destroyed by a kamikaze attack—a fact George wouldn’t learn until years later when reading historical accounts of the battle. When telling these stories, George would always mention that some of his friends were still there off the coast of that island.

On June 6, 1944—D-Day—George married his beloved wife Dorothy Fluorine Anderson. Their son, George Henry Peter, was born on June 28, 1949. After Dorothy’s passing in the 1970s and following his retirement from Chicago Cutting Die where he worked for 64 years, George relocated to Kenosha in 2002. His son George passed away on May 21, 2021. George never remarried because of his commitment to Dorothy.

Through a remarkable turn of events, George’s granddaughter Vanessa Blue, an Air Force veteran, discovered him through a Post 21 article in the Badger Legionnaire that she found online. After years of estrangement, their reunion brought new joy to George’s life. Vanessa became a beacon of light, helping him rediscover his zest for life after the loss of his son.

In Kenosha, George found a second family through dear friends who brought joy and companionship to his later years. He was particularly blessed by his close friendship with Bhavani “Bonnie” Abe, whose dedication and care were instrumental in extending and enriching his life. He also cherished his relationships with James and Pat Box, who became treasured family friends.

George maintained over 50 years of continuous membership in the American Legion, most recently with Kenosha Post 21. He was also an active member of Forty & Eight, Voiture 410, and Navy Club Ship 40, here in Kenosha. His commitment to veterans’ causes, his service to our nation, and his friendship will be remembered by all who knew him.

George’s Memories
George Peter 1943 and 2021

Supporting Local Veterans with Essentials—and Friendship

Last fall, Commander Matt Christian recently launched a new initiative called Kenosha Cares for Vets, aimed at helping area veterans with everyday necessities—and just as importantly, creating meaningful connections.

In partnership with Jo Wynn, owner of The Bunker Coffee House for Vets, and with the support of the American Legion Family, we put together care bags and personally deliver them to veterans in our community.

We’ve already made visits to the Dayton Hotel, home to around 20 veterans, as well as Willowbrook Assisted Living, and other local residences. These visits have been powerful and memorable for everyone involved.

Growing Together

We’re proud to be joined by our veteran brothers and sisters at VFW Post 7308, who jumped in with both feet to support this effort. Contributions from KAVV and 40&8 Voiture 410 have also been vital to our success.

Want to Get Involved?

If you or your organization would like to be part of this truly worthwhile mission, please contact your leadership—or reach out to us directly here at Post 21.

Let’s continue showing our veterans how much Kenosha cares.

If you haven’t been to Joe’s website recently, you’re missing some great articles including a current article entitled “Learning Beyond the Battlefield” by guest writer Rhonda Underhill.  Rhonda is a health care advocate for senior citizens, veterans and persons with disabilities and who has, along with her husband Pete, created a website dedicated to the health and well being of seniors.

Both the article and the website are well worth a look.

Another ancient cooler in our kitchen went to Davy Jones locker this past month, and so we must get a new one. However, the Kenosha Area Vietnam veterans honored the deceased cooler by donating $1000 towards a replacement. Many thanks to the KAVV for being there for us. Thanks Brothers.

Post 21 members Tim, Tom, Brad, and Paul recently helped a local citizen gain access to outdoors by building a ramp with material donated by Post 21. The completed ramp allows the senior citizen (who was an avid gardener) with senior citizen caretakers, to visit his garden regularly. This had been a major operation before the ramp was built.

Tom “Woody” Visintainer Sr., Tim Green, and Paul Ciarelli. Not Pictured, Brad Cramlet

Photo curtesy of the Kenosha News

A long time dream of Past Commander Tom “Woody” Visintainer Sr. came true in May when new member John Argust came up with the idea to ask the City of Kenosha for one of their old voting boxes. Tom and others scoured Ebay, local post offices and other strange places trying to secure an old mailbox, but no one ever had any luck. Tom stated that “Now that we have one, local citizens have a convient place to retire the US flag respectfully”. “It didn’t take long to fill up, a couple of times”, said John Argust who has added maintaining the container to his list of things to do.

Creative Designs Custom Signs, LLC donated the custom beautifully done lithographs. Everyone was very surprised and happy about how they turned out. Make sure you support business that support The American Legion. Creative Designs ad is featured in our Red, White, and Blue Pages.

If you live west of Green Bay Road, Friends Hobby Shop / 8501 75th Street / 262 671-0131 has a collection basket in their store so you don’t have to come all the way downtown to retire your flags.

See Joe States Article in the Kenosha News here for more details. You may need an e-subscription.

County of Kenosha

 

May 17, 2023

News release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ali Nelson

              262-605-6690

              Ali.Nelson@kenoshacounty.org

Memorial Day programs, ceremonies to be held
across Kenosha County

Memorial Day will be observed at various events across Kenosha County over the holiday weekend. Here is a list of programs, compiled by the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services:

What: Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony (rain or shine)

When:  Sunday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m.

Where:  21731 Spring Street, Union Grove WI 53182

Note:  Memorial Day Program Coordinator / SWVMC Office Representative, Marina Johnstone 262-878-5660 Ext:106 marina.johnstone@dva.wisconsin.gov

What: Memorial Day Ceremony – to include singing of the National Anthem and “Eternal Father,” a flower and wreath dedication.

Who: Navy Club Ship 40 Kenosha

When: Monday, May 29th, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Navy Park, Sixth Avenue and 54th Street, Kenosha  

Note: For more details, please contact Dick Stader at 262-654-9202.

What: Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, Silver Lake

Who: American Legion Post 293, Silver Lake

When: Monday, May 29th, 9 a.m. Service in front of the American Legion Hall to follow immediately after the parade.

Where: 307 N. Cogswell Drive, Silver Lake

Note: For more details, please contact Dave Bleser 262-889-4767

What: Memorial Day Ceremony, Twin Lakes

Who: American Legion Post 544, Twin Lakes

When: Monday, May 29th, Ceremony to start at Mound Prairie Cemetery at 9 a.m., then move to St. John’s Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Parade from Lance Park to the American Legion Post 544 to begin at 11 a.m., with a ceremony to follow at the Legion post.

Where: 989 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes-10:00 a.m. Assembly

Why: In observance of Memorial Day

Note: For more details, please contact Jim Schmidt 262-492-3073 or American Legion Post 544 262-877-3669.

What: Memorial Day Ceremony

Who: American Legion Post 21, Kenosha

When: Monday, May 29th, 10 a.m.

Where: Green Ridge Cemetery, 6604 Seventh Ave., Kenosha

Note: For more information please contact, Tom Visintainer 262-620-5646.

What: Memorial Day Ceremony

Who: Sunset Ridge Memorial Park and American Legion David Leet Post 552

When: Monday, May 29th, 11:00 a.m.

Where: Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, 4300 Green Bay Road, Kenosha

Note: The program includes the reading of names of all Veterans who have been interred at the park in 2022 and honoring all Veterans everywhere. The keynote speaker is David Wiedenkeller, the “living historian”. Dove Release; Music- Bag Pipes and Taps; Singer, Morgan Kelsey singing “National Anthem” For more details, please contact Sunset Ridge 262-652-7488.

What: Memorial Day Ceremony

Who: VFW Post 7308, Pleasant Prairie

When: Monday, May 29th, 11 a.m.

Where: Old St. Mark’s Cemetery, Ninth Court and 78th Street, Kenosha

Note: For more details, please contact John McCoy 262-358-2415.

What: Memorial Day and Flag Retirement ceremonies

Who: VFW Post 1865, Kenosha

When: Monday, May 29th, Memorial Day Ceremony at 12 p.m., Flag Retirement Ceremony at 1 p.m.

Where: VFW Post 1865, 6618 39th Ave., Kenosha

Note: For more details, please contact Arron Edwards 262-652-2751 (New Post Commander)

What: Memorial Day Ceremony – to include POW/MIA Service

Who: Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans

When: Monday, May 29th, 12:00 p.m.

Where: Library Park, 711 59th Place, Kenosha

Note: For more details, please contact Rich Bowker at 262-694-1129.

Commander                  Elijah Bogar

Vice Cmdr                     Matthew Hellquist

Adjutant                       Michael Hellquist

Finance Officer             Tom Visintainer

Chaplain                       Carl Bogar Jr.

Historian                      Carl Bogar Jr.

Sgt At Arms                   Phil Morris

Service Officer              Phil Morris

Meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday’s the month at 7pm