Post 312 Maple Park, Illinois

Post 312

Maple Park, Illinois

Post 312 Maple Park, Illinois

About This Post

Post Namesake
Maple Park Post No. 312 The American Legion, Department of Illinois
Notable Members
Founding Members: Commander: James C. Moore Vice Commander: Earl Sullivan Finance Officer: Dr. R. B. Main Adjutant: Harry L. Parson Chaplain: Wilfred Kelly Sgt. at Arms: Walter Butler Service Officer: Fred Needham Historian: Roy Smith Judge Advocate: Michael Moore Graves Registration: Vincent Guerin Americanism Officer: Paul O’Brien
What Makes this Post Unique
Post 312 in Maple Park Illinois was formed in 1926. We are over 100 members strong with a keen sense of friendship and comradery. Members are from all branches of the service and date back to World War II. We invite all veterans to come visit our post during one of our monthly meetings held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1900 hours. Serving Veterans and The Community We are committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities. We support our community by sponsoring local events and fundraisers. We help those vets that are in need by providing whatever local assistance we can backed by the American Legion itself. Honor Guard and Rifle Team: Post 312 has a full Honor Guard with a Rifle Squad for funeral and special services. We have full parade Legion uniforms and use M-1 carbines to provide an impressive presentation. For more information about our Honor Gaurd, please contact one of our Officers. Monthly Fish & Chicken Fry: Every third Friday of the month, Legion volunteers put out a huge spread. Open to the public, we usually serve around 300 All You Can Eat serving. See our calendar for dates and times. Meetings: We invite all veterans to come out and join us at one of our monthly meetings. Held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at our Legion Hall on Main St., downtown Maple Park.

HISTORY

1920

Maple Park American Legion Formed at Woodman Hall

Feb 25, 1926
On February 25, 1926, veterans of World War 1 met at Woodman Hall, Maple Park, IL, for the purpose of organizing a post of the American Legion. Fifteen veterans had been previously contacted by Wm. C. Mundt, state organization officer of the American Legion, and had signed an application for a charter. These 15 had to be new members and transfers from other posts could not be counted. Those present were: Dr. R. B. Main..
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Legion Town Hall Dance Fundraiser

Apr 9, 1926
The first money raising activity was a dance at the Town Hall on April 9, 1926. Enough money was realized from this project to buy 12 Army rifles and 250 Poppies to be sold on Memorial Day.
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American Legion Memorial Day Service to be held at Town Hall

May 31, 1926
On Memorial Day 1926, the newly formed post had charge of a very fitting Memorial service at the Town Hall. All of the school children participated and Rev. F. S. Porcella was the principal speaker. After the services at the Town Hall the firing team visited five local cemeteries and fired a salute at each, while the school children placed flowers on the graves of veterans. Upon returning to the Town Hall a very sumptuous..
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Maple Park American Legion buys the old Baptist Church

Jul 15, 1927
The first of the six famous Annual Legion Minstrel shows was given at the Town Hall in February 1927 and it was such a howling success that the members of the post felt that they could now purchase a permanent home. In July 1927 the old Baptist Church building was purchased from the trustees of the Baptist Church. Much time and labor was expended during the next months, cleaning and remodeling the "New Legion Hall.”..
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Maple Park Legion improves the Post Home

Aug 1, 1928
In August 1928 the first American Legion Homecoming was held. William Sanders was named chairman, and it was through his ability and hard work that this Homecoming was a very great success. With the proceeds from this first Homecoming a new roof was put on the Legion building and the entire interior was redecorated. All of this work was donated with Levi Hanson in charge, and was completed in the spring of 1929. During the..
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1930

Post home falls into disrepair, building sold

May 12, 1935
The large hall was becoming too much of a burden for the few remaining members to handle and the minor repairs we were able to make on it were not enough to keep it from falling into ruin. In May 1935 at a regular meeting the building was sold to James C. 'Moore, he being the highest bidder. From that time on the members met in the Town Hall. There was very little activity, but..
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1940

WWII Veterans Revitilize Maple Park Post 312

Feb 4, 1946
On February 4, 1946, several members of the old Legion met with the new veterans of World War II, and a new slate of officers, all World War II veterans, was elected. From that time on, the Post has waxed strong and prospered at times with an annual membership of 125 or more each year. with an all time high of 137.
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1950

Battle Streamer added to Post Achivements

Aug 1, 1956
In 1956 a battle streamer of pride was added to the Post Colors when Past Commander Robert Berkes was elected Commander of the Kane County Council of the American Legion. Over the years our organization has contributed substantially to community projects.
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