American Legion presents DeKalb Rotary with $1,000 for Sailors Memorial Clock restoration

DeKALB – The American Legion organization (The Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary) recently presented a check for $1,000 toward the restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Rotary Club, celebrating its centennial year, has selected as its centennial project the restoration of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial clock to working order. The clock is located in Memorial Park at the corner of First Street and Lincoln Highway.

The DeKalb American Legion Post 66, also celebrating their centennial year, is one of the largest and most active veterans organizations in DeKalb County. Their mission is to support and enhance the well-being of all American veterans, their families and current active duty service members and to be true to their beliefs that no Veteran should be left behind. The goal of the DeKalb American Legion is to serve as a support element to our community, civic organizations, and our veteran population by observing and participating in patriotic and memorial events.

“This project is not only great for the community, but recognition for our local veterans for whom the clock is named,” said Michael Embrey, local veteran special event promoter. “This is a special year for not only the Memorial Clock and the DeKalb Rotary, but also the DeKalb American Legion Post 66 celebrating 100 years supporting the DeKalb community.”

“We as an organization believe it is important to support and giveback to our community,” commented Legion Commander Daniel Gallagher. “Our donation is not only supported by our local Legion, but also our affiliate groups, ‘The Sons of the American Legion’ and the ‘Legion Auxiliary.’”

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial clock has not been functional for many years. DeKalb Rotary Club is planning to bring the workings of the clock to modern specifications while preserving the exterior look. The Memorial Clock, also celebrating its centennial, was dedicated on Feb. 13, 1921. This is the third time that funds have been raised for the Memorial Clock. The Soldier’s and Sailor’s Relief Society spent two years raising the necessary $2,900 for the E. Howard and Company-built clock to be erected in DeKalb as a memorial to the World War I soldiers and sailors. As the clock celebrated its 75th anniversary it was again restored to working order and moved to Memorial Park at the corner of 1st Street and Lincoln Highway.

A preliminary quote indicates that the repairs to the clock will cost between $7,000 and $10,000. Once the club has raised the funds it will take about one month for the work to be completed. The club’s goal is to have the project completed by Memorial Day 2021. However, this would require a commitment of funds by the end of April. Updates to the project timeline and fundraising progress will be posted periodically on the club’s website.

Donations can be made online through the club’s website here dekalbrotary.org/soldiers-and-sailors-memorial-clock/ You also can mail a check to DeKalb Rotary,829 Woodlawn Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115. Please make checks payable to the DeKalb Rotary Charitable Impact Fund. Donations are tax-deductible.