Greetings Comrades,
The Post has been very active these past few months. We have been marching along and continuing with our mission.
The bar continues to open every day at noon and the hall rentals have been increasing in large numbers. A big thank you to Mike Reilly for managing the bar and the hall.
October was a busy month at the Post. We started with our yearly Blood Drive. Thanks to Quartermaster Harry Benjamin for organizing the Drive and exceeding our goal of 15 pints. The Post, along with the Village of Niles hosted a Veterans Wellness Event in our hall. Numerous vendors were on hand to show support to the veteran community. Thank you to our Post surgeon Ramon Prieto for chairing the event.
The Post participated in the Village of Niles "Trunk or Treat” passing out candies and goodies to the children in the village. A job well done to the Post Member Krista Iacoviello for setting up our display and representing the Post at the event!
The Post started November off with the celebration of the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. A ceremony and cake cutting party was held at the Post on November 10th.
The Post, along with the Village officials hosted our annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Niles Memorial Waterfall on November 11th. A special thank you to our Post Colorguard who conducted a riffle salute and "Taps” at the conclusion of the ceremony. Well done gentlemen!!! The Post hosted a luncheon afterwards in our hall which drew a very large crowd. A big thank you to Mike and Judy for putting the Veterans Day party together!!
The Post conducted the annual VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competition. We had multiple entrants in each category. A job well done to Tom Davidson for chairing the program! Special thanks to our program judges; Keith Renner, Ramon Prieto, Tom Fronzak, John Tomzik and George Pearson. Thank you for donating your time and efforts. Thank you to all of the students who participated in the program. Congratulations to our Post’s Voice of Democracy winner Katelyn Whitlock, a student at Maine South High School in Park Ridge. Congratulations to our Post’s Patriot’s Pen winner Alyson Burke, a student at Mary
Seat of Wisdom school in Park Ridge. Good luck to both of you in the next level of competition in the 4th Illinois District!
Our Post remains very active and committed to our veterans and the Niles Community. Thank you to all the Post members and Post Auxiliary who continue to support the mission of the VFW.
I hope that everyone had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing all of you at the Post’s Christmas Party on December 2nd.
I would like to wish all the members of the Post, Auxiliary and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year!!!
God Bless You and God Bless America!!!
James P. McGrath, Commander
Niles Memorial VFW Post 3579