The Installation of officers was held at the Woodridge Country Club in Lisle on September 18, 1940. In October work began on the new Post Home. The Auxiliary donated $600.00 to the Post to be used as needed for the new home. The building was an old plumbing shop and needed a great deal of repairs. Cleanup of the old building was begun and repairs followed. By December the building was usable. The "DRAFT" began in January of 1941 and all members were urged to be on hand on January 19th when the first train of draftees would leave Downers Grove. The Post provided space, flag, desk and chairs for the Draft Board. The Post received a letter from Senator Wayland Brooks requesting the Post to recommend two candidates for admission to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The Post submitted six; Arther Taylor, Orville Davidsmeyer, Stanley Zagel, Thomas Reeve, Chester Monson and Richard Lartch. They all went to Bloomington for their exams. At the April 2, 1941 meeting the membership said farewell to Evelyn Walter, Past President of the Auxiliary. This was the first meeting in our new home. As war stood on the horizon the Post made arrangements for refreshments for all the draftees and their families when the trains left Downers Grove. By the end of the war, there would be more than 80 such occasions. A letter dated April 5,1941 was received and read to the membership in regards to the large portrait of Abraham Lincoln which adorns the west wall of our new Post home. The letter is as follows; Gentleman, This is to certify that Charles J Dunham has been appointed as the Official representative of Alexander Bradley Burns Post 80, The American Legin of Downers Grove, Illinois, to make arrangements with you regarding the transfer of certain property belonging to the estate of the late Rhoderick D. Parker.Mr Dunham will present to you a certified copy of an order issued by Probate Judge Thoma of Du Page Coounty, directing that a picture of Abraham Lincoln, being an asset in the Estate of Rhoderick D. Parker, be turned over to Alexander Bradley Burns Post 80, The American Legion of Downers Grove and will make arrangements for transferring the picture to Downers Grove, which was the home of Mr. Parker. Thanking you for your anticipated co-operation. And this my friends is how we acquired the Abraham Lincoln portrait. Trains with draftees were leaving every two weeks now. The Post was making regular donations to the USO. Another successful Legion year was coming to an end Aluminum and scrap metal collections were also an ongoing activity at the Legion. Ivan Webster is elected commander for the 1942 Legion year. Once again a Soap Box Derby was held on the 4th of July. The youth week celebrations of the past were not restarted. The annual carnival was held and a 1940 Pontiac was raffled off. House rules were written for the new home and all appeared to be going well.
