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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Morton Grove American Legion Post 134 celebrates centennial
American Legion Morton Grove Post 134 recently celebrated a century of serving military veterans and their families with an anniversary party. Post 134 Commander Andy Haszlakiwewicz told Pioneer Press the May 4 event at the American Legion Memorial Civic Center, which is owned by the village, drew about 140 people including Legionnaires and their family members in the Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. 'I think everyone enjoyed themselves. They enjoyed getting together and having the fellowship. Some of us were pleasantly surprised how well it turned out,' Haszlakiwewicz said about attendees who were primarily from Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie. He said the event included the color guard presenting the flag, a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer by Post 134 Chaplain George Vail, of Palatine and applause for Morton Grove resident Joan Kopinski, 95, a member of the Auxiliary since days after her birth. Haszlakiwewicz, 78, said a pin drop could be heard when Major General James Mukoyama, of Glenview, gave a keynote address about moral injury to attendees – who previously served in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Navy, and were primarily fellow Vietnam War veterans. 'Many military personnel join the military and it doesn't occur to them that they are a fighting force, and by virtue of having to exercise that force they suffer from moral injury because they may not agree with killing but they have to because they're in the service,' Haszlakiwewicz said. Department of Illinois American Legion Commander Joe Lampert also spoke at the centennial celebration, which Haszlakiwewicz said included a catered dinner and a DJ playing oldies. 'Actually, Joe is a member of our post so we're very privileged and honored to have him as a department commander,' Haszlakiwewicz said. 'He talked a bit about Be the One, which is a program we expound for suicide prevention.' According to Haszlakiwewicz, 16 men who are World War I veterans from the Morton Grove area loosely organized in 1924 to form an American Legion post and conducted their first meeting in January 1925 when they submitted an application for a charter. 'Basically, from the time they sent in the charter they considered themselves already a post. It probably didn't have a number yet because it would be assigned by the national American Legion,' Haszlakiwewicz said. Janine Witko, the new mayor of Morton Grove, touted the Post 134 and its 100-year existence. 'The village is fortunate to have a strong voice for veterans in American Legion Post 134, which has been a pillar for the community for 100 years and hopefully continues to be part of Morton Grove for the next 100 years,' Witko said in a statement. A Legionnaire for more than 25 years, Haszlakiwewicz became a member of Post 134 in 2020 after the Peter Huerter American Legion Post 46 in Wilmette – where he served as commander – disbanded. Haszlakiwewicz said Post 134 has 740 members, including about 300 from the Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie areas, and more than 100 who live out of state. 'The American Legion as a whole continues to recruit new members as much as they can, and we do that also to bolster our membership,' Haszlakiwewicz said. Haszlakiwewicz explained that the post's youngest member is in his 30s and the oldest member is a 104-year-old woman. 'Even though we have a large membership, we still struggle to have people involved,' Haszlakiwewicz said. Former Morton Grove mayor Dan DiMaria, who presided over his last Village Board meeting as mayor on May 13, shared his support for Post 134 with Pioneer Press. 'Morton Grove is made stronger by the American Legion who advocates for all veterans, service members and their families who have protected this nation and I want to congratulate them on celebrating their 100-year anniversary in the village,' DiMaria said in a prepared statement. In addition to community outreach, Post 134 offers a full-service bar for members who may bring a guest, and does a Queen of Hearts raffle drawing on Tuesdays. Haszlakiwewicz said he is looking forward to Post 134 hosting for the Adopt-A-Sailor program on Thanksgiving – for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began – where about 50 recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes come to Morton Grove for a meal, games and a chance to make phone calls to loved ones. 'There are a number of benefits for veterans from American Legion and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,' Haszlakiwewicz said. 'We're like a conduit for those who need help.' Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
American Legion's national commander touts veteran suicide prevention program during Minnesota visit
The national commander of the American Legion has been in Minnesota this week, visiting different posts to talk about a variety of veterans' issues. Friday morning, he was at Fagen Fighters World War II Museum in Granite Falls. "I'm taking in every bit of it I possibly can. This is fantastic to see this," said James LaCoursiere, Jr. Surrounded by war planes and military relics, the national commander talked about the sacrifices veterans have made. "It truly is a mission. It's not a program and it's not a catchphrase. It's the mission to save the life of a veteran, a child, a spouse," said LaCoursiere. The mission and his message to the crowd was about the veteran suicide rate. LaCoursiere is promoting "Be the One." It's a suicide prevention initiative that he's sharing with all 12,000 American Legion posts across the country. "It's all about listening and your true commitment and compassion being locked in with the individual at the time. Even someone who doesn't have military ties, it's something they can share and do in their community," said LaCoursiere. He said about 20 veterans a day commit suicide in our country — a statistic that hits home for Carla Tappanier. "This 'Be the One' project, that is the most important because I can personally tell you that I've lost five or six good friends to suicide," said Tappanier. Tappainer is the membership director for Minnesota's American Legions. She's thankful the national commander is sharing his message here, and nationwide. "You need to be there for them. Listen to them. Exactly what he said. Listen to them. Talk to them. Speak with them. Whatever you need to do, do not leave them alone," said Tappanier. LaCoursiere is encouraging people to download the "Be the One" app on their phones. You can find it wherever you download apps. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything. In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness , or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text "HelpLine" to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Legion Commander to address suicide prevention in Forest Lake, Apple Valley talks
American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr. is in Minnesota this month to raise awareness about the Legion's 'Be the One' efforts to prevent veteran suicide. On Monday, LaCoursiere will be the featured speaker at an event at the American Legion Post No. 225 in Forest Lake. On Tuesday, he will speak at a breakfast event at American Legion Post No. 1776 in Apple Valley. LaCoursiere was elected national commander of the American Legion on Aug. 29 during the 105th national convention in New Orleans. Veteran suicide is the 'most significant issue facing veterans,' LaCoursiere told the convention after being elected. 'It is the most significant issue of our time. It's also an issue that galvanizes all of us. I know that we are all touched by someone who has taken their own life.' A U.S. Air Force veteran and member of American Legion Post 91 in Moosup, Conn., LaCoursiere will visit Post No. 225 at 355 W. Broadway Ave. for a social hour, dinner and presentation starting at 5 p.m. Monday, and talk with veterans, community leaders and local residents. The event is open to the public; cost of dinner is $10 for members of the post and $20 for non-members. To RSVP for the Forest Lake event, call Terry Larson at 651-464-2600, ext. 308. LaCoursiere will visit Post No. 1776 at 14521 Granada Drive in Apple Valley for a breakfast and presentation starting at 8:15 a.m. The event is open to the public. If interested in attending, call Carla Tappainer at 952-240-7849. For information on other Minnesota stops, visit Local News | 'You were willing to risk your life to maintain our freedom.' Cottage Grove World War II veteran honored for service Local News | Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo Local News | Biden awards the Medal of Honor and Medal of Valor to military heroes and first responders Local News | At South St. Paul's Sunlight Restaurant, four veterans in their 90s still meet to reminisce Local News | New Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum taking shape next to Camp Ripley
