The American Legion Post 43 Naperville Illinois Citizen of the Year award started to recognize and to encourage extraordinary service to the Naperville community or to the Nation. In later years Wayne Fischer in summing up the spirit of the award would state “One of our Nation’s key strengths is strong ‘community spirit. For that reason, we want to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of local people." Nominations were accepted from all citizens of Naperville and the people who are nominated didn't have to be members of the American Legion or even Veterans." The first known award was given to two women in 1976: Genevive Townsley and Barbara Bean

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