Our 53rd Commander, Michael A. Rechenmacher was born July 7, 1948 at St. Joseph hospital in Aurora Illinois. He is a lifelong citizen of Naperville. His father was active in Naperville American Legion Post 43 and Mike remembers helping his father set up for Friday night Bingo. He claims he earned a soda for his endeavors.
Mike Joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 and reported to Treasure Island, California for duty station orders. He requested sea duty on an LST or something similar. He received orders for South Vietnam via San Diego where trained with the Marines at Camp Pendleton and then Coronado where he trained with amphibious units where received survival training. He reported to Saigon March of 1968 was assigned shore duty on the Mekong River. There he filled sand bags, drove a truck, small supply boats and stood guard duty. He returned to the States in 1970 and served his remaining 4 years at a Reserve Center. When mustered out Mike had attained the rank 2nd Class Boatswain (E-5).
Returning to Naperville, Mike became a Naperville firefighter where he served for 35 years. He was a paramedic and progressed through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain and retired as Battalion Chief. He married Dianne in 1972. Over the years they had five daughters who have blessed them with 9 grandchildren.
Mike was voted Commander of Post 43 for the 1972-1973 term just a few short years after he joined. He is probably the youngest commander in the history of the Post. This happened because his father Richard Rechenmacher was Jr. Vice Commander in 1970 when he was killed in Fire truck accident while responding to a fire. The Senior Officers of the Post thought it would be a good idea and a tribute to Mike’s father if Mike finished his father’s term and became commander in his place.
Mike remembers that attendance at meetings in those days was small (8-10 members) and the budget was very tight. The Post home rented the lower level to a florist shop and the upstairs hall to a ballet instructor a few nights per week. The Post no longer had Bingo on Friday nights, but had nice dinners and pot luck socials.
Mike remains active in Post activities. He is a member of the “Kendall Cooks” who prepare meals for most of the Post’s Dinner/Socials throughout the year.
