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American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
Kchi
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: May 26, 2011 07:52AM
There have been a couple of recent posts about WW II memorials and a tank, which brings to mind the disappearing veterans organization buildings. Many of these neighborhood posts were founded after WWI and WWII which gave returning veterans a venue for community service and a social outlet with other veterans. This was a time when people typically never moved far from where they were born annd many of the people did not own cars, and most of any social activity revolved around the neighborhood churches and veteran organizations. In my many driving vacations through smaller towns it is always great to see that some of these orgaizations as well as Elk,Moose Eagles etc. still exists.
I welcome people to identify the names and locations of these organizations that may have been in your neighborhood. It brings back fond memories of parades,picnics,dances and Christmas parties as well as sponsorship of scouts ad Little League. Things that many people don't have time for anymore.
Several that I remember were Portage Park American Legion on Belmont, FDR on Cortland and Lafayette on Leavitt.
I welcome people to identify the names and locations of these organizations that may have been in your neighborhood. It brings back fond memories of parades,picnics,dances and Christmas parties as well as sponsorship of scouts ad Little League. Things that many people don't have time for anymore.
Several that I remember were Portage Park American Legion on Belmont, FDR on Cortland and Lafayette on Leavitt.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
tim62b
(---.dsl.emhril.sbcglobal.net)
Date: May 26, 2011 03:08PM
Ted Knusman Amvets Post was in Austin at Chicago & Parkside. In the early to mid-seventies it relocated to Irving just west of Central.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
WayOutWardell
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: May 26, 2011 11:23PM
There is (was?) a Legion hall at the corner of Montrose & Western, next door to Jeri's Grill, and a classmate of mine had his 8th grade graduation party at the VFW hall on Higgins & Canfield in Park Ridge.
Here's an Legion cap from Woodlawn Post 175 that I found in, of all places, Petaluma, Ca.
Legion Garrison Cap
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2011 11:37PM by WayOutWardell.
Here's an Legion cap from Woodlawn Post 175 that I found in, of all places, Petaluma, Ca.
Legion Garrison Cap
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2011 11:37PM by WayOutWardell.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
Steve B.
(74.7.39.---)
Date: May 27, 2011 01:14PM
As I mentioned in a different posting, there is a VFW Post # 5216 located at 4325 S. Honore Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. After WWII, a group of veterans formed the local post and bought the building where they occupy the first floor with three rental apartments above, which provided them with income over the years. My family lived in the rear apartment from 1953 to 1974 and my father was the post commander in 1964-1965. They sponsored bowling leagues for the kids and had softball, bowling, horseshoes and other activities for themselves. The basement was once used as the local Cub Scout meeting place. Every time they had an event in the hall downstairs, I was well aware of it since the live bands kept us up all night! I don't know how many members they have now since most or all the WWII vets have passed on. I sure seen a lot of members stagger out of their bar nearly every evening. I'm not sure how many Vietnam era and newer vets feel a need for this type of establishment today. Being a veteran myself, lifestyles and activity choices today are much different than they were in 1950.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
tomcat630
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: May 29, 2011 11:09PM
Ted Knusman AMVETS at 5600 Irving closed about 8 years ago. Now the group rents spaces are various banquet halls or restaurants for meetings, parties, etc. No permanent building.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
crowamonghens
(---.dsl.mindspring.com)
Date: May 29, 2011 11:30PM
the one steve b. mentioned at 43rd and honors, i think my parents might have had their wedding party therein 1954, that was their old neighborhood. 
i remember there being a F.O.E. on west 55th st back when i was little, my ma used to drag me to bingo there in their basement. i was always scared of the guy who called the games because he sounded so cranky and mean. ha. looking back, he was probably the nicest guy around.
it's sad to think of these places becoming redundant and disappearing as this generation of vets ages and dies. depressing, actually. i grew up in these places.
i remember there being a F.O.E. on west 55th st back when i was little, my ma used to drag me to bingo there in their basement. i was always scared of the guy who called the games because he sounded so cranky and mean. ha. looking back, he was probably the nicest guy around.
it's sad to think of these places becoming redundant and disappearing as this generation of vets ages and dies. depressing, actually. i grew up in these places.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
Chipast
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: May 30, 2011 09:58PM
One in Argo-Summit on S.Harlem. Another on S.Cicero near Alsip.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
bwalsh
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: June 04, 2011 09:19PM
Here's a story about the VFW, or actually one vet in particular, and information about their activities:
[southtownstar.suntimes.com]
My dad belonged to a number of veterans groups: the American Legion, the VFW, Catholic War Vets and was an officer or commander at the local, state and national level in all 3 of these. The smaller towns usually always had and still have these halls, whereas it seems in the bigger cities they have fallen by the wayside. For being a much smaller organization, the CWV post in LaSalle, IL had their own hall and it was quite an active group back in the 60s anyway.
There's still a VFW hall in Oak Lawn at 52nd Ave just south of 95th St.
[southtownstar.suntimes.com]
My dad belonged to a number of veterans groups: the American Legion, the VFW, Catholic War Vets and was an officer or commander at the local, state and national level in all 3 of these. The smaller towns usually always had and still have these halls, whereas it seems in the bigger cities they have fallen by the wayside. For being a much smaller organization, the CWV post in LaSalle, IL had their own hall and it was quite an active group back in the 60s anyway.
There's still a VFW hall in Oak Lawn at 52nd Ave just south of 95th St.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
Jazzman
(---.bankofamerica.com)
Date: July 15, 2011 08:02PM
Ted Knusman Amvets Post now meets monthly at the Elmhurst American Legion Post on one specific Sunday a month.
------
To the poster who wrote about... VFW Post # 5216 located at 4325 S. Honore Street ..... opps sorry for keeping you awake.
I used to pass that area in the 70's going to the wrestling events at the Amphitheatre. Going down Western to 43rd and then east to the AMP was always faster and less traffic.
As many times as I went past Honore, I didn't even know the hall was there.
Then we played a there once in 1979. Somebody liked us and all of a sudden we wound up playing a handful of parties there....probably about 10 or 12 over a couple years. Music jobs used to go in spurts. The last time we played there was in 80 and at the latest 1981 as the neighborhood was changing.
------
To the poster who wrote about... VFW Post # 5216 located at 4325 S. Honore Street ..... opps sorry for keeping you awake.
I used to pass that area in the 70's going to the wrestling events at the Amphitheatre. Going down Western to 43rd and then east to the AMP was always faster and less traffic.
As many times as I went past Honore, I didn't even know the hall was there.
Then we played a there once in 1979. Somebody liked us and all of a sudden we wound up playing a handful of parties there....probably about 10 or 12 over a couple years. Music jobs used to go in spurts. The last time we played there was in 80 and at the latest 1981 as the neighborhood was changing.
Re: American Legion,VFW,Amvets Buildings
Posted by:
Vern H
(---.dsl.emhril.sbcglobal.net)
Date: July 19, 2011 02:56PM
There are still a few left near where I live. (Belmont Heights) One is on Grand av in River Grove, just east of the river. Another is in Franklin Park at Pacific & Ruby. My brother in law rented the River Grove one a few years ago for a family thing.
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