Naperville American Legion Post 43 presented their first Citizen of the Year award in 1976. It became an annual award in 1986. The Naperville Community is blessed with many people who serve their fellow citizens. Those selected must be Naperville residents whose service was performed in a volunteer capacity, rather than as part of compensated employment. In April of 1996 Terry Jelinek was named American Legion Post #43 Citizen of the Year.
Terry Jelinek served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam. 1996 to 1998 Terry served a 2 year term as of Post 43. He served as the 56th Commander 1975-1976, 64th Commander in 1983-1984 and 73rd Commander in 1996 -1998 (a 2 year term). Terry was one of the Kendall Cooks. These gentlemen would spend hours in the kitchen preparing delicious meals for our dinner socials and then more hours in clean up duties. Terry was involved in organizing the Naperville Memorial Day Parade and Activities every year since leaving active duty in 1972. After receiving this award, he continued serving Post #43 accepting the position as the 80th Commander in 2012-2013.
