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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!

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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

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President                      Donna Lewens

Membership                 OPEN    

Secretary                      Amy Visintainer

Treasurer                      Wendy Smith

Historian                      Sue Duczak

 

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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!