Vernon “Vern” Blum, born June 12, 1920, was a lifelong resident of Naperville, Illinois. He was a graduate of SS. Peter & Paul Grade School, Class of 1934, Naperville High School, Class of 1938 and later attended night school at Aurora College, Aurora, IL (now Aurora University).
Vern served his country during World War II as a member of the 900th Signal Company, Depot Aviation, with the 8th and 9th Army Air Force in England, France, Belgium and Germany. The 900th Signal Company installed airborne radio for the 9th Armored Division for direct radio communication with P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes flying in support of armored division movements.
He was a life member of American Legion Post 43 in Naperville. His wife Mary was active in the American Legion Auxiliary. Vern was 40th Commander of American Legion Post 43, 1959-1960 and the County Commander of the DuPage County Council in 1987. Vern was named Citizen of the Year by American Legion Post 43 in 1988. In 1991, he received the St. George Emblem from the Boy Scouts of America, which is given to individuals who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through Scouting.
Vern tracked and recorded the location of every veteran's grave site in Naperville so that the Post could decorate their graves for Memorial Day weekend. He personally assisted and supervised Veterans, Scouts, and Students in the placement of flags every year until the year he died. At the time of his death over 2000 veterans graves were so decorated in honor of their service.
Vern was employed by Western Electric Co. - Hawthorne Works (now Alcatel-Lucent), Cicero, IL, for 42 years, retiring July 1, 1983 as an equipment engineer. After his retirement, Vern worked with the Telephone Pioneers of America, repairing The Talking Book Machines for the Blind & Handicapped, and he also spoke to Naperville school children about his experiences as a radio repairman during World War II. Vern died at 92 on June 8, 2013.
