Veterans

The McHenry VFW's Queen of Hearts jackpot is once again topping $1 million and has rolled over yet again in the latest drawing. Here's all you need to know about the game.

The American Legion will serve roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert from 5-7 p.m. Friday.

Plans for a four-story building on the former Silver Cross Hospital campus in Joliet would house Will County Veterans Assistance Commission and other agencies.

The Dixon American Legion will serve lasagna, garlic bread, salad and dessert from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Keynote speaker will be former U.S. Navy Corpsman Raymond Torres.

Tickets are still available for the 2024 “Brats Bourbon, and Brews” will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. Proceeds help two organizations that serve veterans.

The Village of Antioch Board at its regular Oct. 9 meeting approved an ordinance that waives building permit fees for disabled veterans of any of disability.

The Dixon American Legion will have its German Fest from 5-7 p.m. Friday.

The Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center will join with the Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission for a program on Monday Oct. 7 at the Channahon Village Hall.

Comedian Bobby Henline, a friend of the late McHenry VFW Commander Ben Keefe, will appear at fundraiser for Keefe's family following his death at age 50.

As the calendar turns to fall, it’s time for Libertyville Sunrise Rotary and Zengeler Cleaners to kick off this year’s “Coats for Vets” collection drive.

Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital has expanded operating hours at its six suburban outpatient clinics, including the Joliet location.

Late veteran who served in Korea and Vietnam to be honored in Lake in the Hills Sunday with a three-rifle volley.

The Dixon American Legion will be serving roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, roll, salad, vegetable and dessert from 5-7 p.m. Friday.

A Joliet couple was sentenced to 48 months of probation and ordered to pay $20,573 in restitution after they pleaded guilty to stealing from Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13 Legion Riders.

K9s for Veterans helps provides trained service dogs to help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder transition to civilian life

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a grocery giveaway Sept. 27.

The American Legion will serve grilled ribeye steak with baked potato with sour cream or French fries, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert from 5-7 p.m. Friday.

Veterans and their families gathered in a sizable crowd on a rainy Sunday in DeKalb to advocate for change to a somber reality: an end to veteran suicide. The inaugural Be the One Walk, organized by the DeKalb American Legion Post No. 66 and Legion Auxiliary, offered vets a chance to come together, and learn how to help themselves and others in crisis.

Organizers behind a free 2.2-mile walk to bring awareness to veteran suicide and learn about ways to prevent it plan to hold the event Sunday come rain or shine. If it rains, walkers can participate indoors at Northwestern Medicine Health and Wellness Center in DeKalb.

The “Harvest of Quilts” quilt show will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Junior High School in New Lenox.

Over 100 volunteers are expected to turn out for the annual Saluting Branches event at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on Thursday, to assist in cleaning up the military cemetery and plant new trees.

Meals will be available for carryout or dine-in at the Legion Post.

Participants will be able to meet over 20 hiring employers and are encouraged to bring resume copies.

Registration is now open for the annual Veterans History Project.

The Dixon American Legion will serve grilled plain or barbecued pork chops, au gratin potatoes, salad, vegetable, roll, and dessert from 5 to 7 p.m.

Volunteers will clean headstones and “beautify” the cemetery to honor veterans on 9/11, also known as Patriot Day, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Monday, the eve of his birthday, Willard Simpson took flight with pilot Keith Stranberg of Oregon, who was at the controls of his Buckeye Powered Parachute Ultralight.

Ben Keefe, 50, had been commander at the McHenry VFW for the past three years and is credited for the veteran's organization's successful Queen of Hearts game and the post's donations to other charitable projects.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently held a dedication for the city’s new Veteran Memorial Mural.

Restoration of the 1926 Mt. Morris Veterans Memorial Fountain recently was completed and, on Thursday, Aug. 29, a rededication was held.

Cheap Trick’s mega hit “I Want You to Want Me” rang true Thursday as hundreds of people waited to get inside the new Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which offers a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue intertwined with music memorabilia, including some from Rockford's own Cheap Trick.

DeKalb area veteran groups are inviting community members to attend an upcoming 2.2-mile awareness walk in September, meant to help end veteran suicide and spread information on how to help those in crisis.

The McHenry VFW's Queen of Hearts game is still rolling over and the prize pot is now worth almost $1.4 million.

The Will County Health Department is expanding its efforts to make the overdose-reducing drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan, more accessible to veterans in the region.

Meals are available for dine in at the Post, 1120 W. First St., or for carryout.

Veterans are celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, as they return from an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C., at McHenry Community High School. The Honor Flight trip was coordinated by the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois.

A new mural in downtown DeKalb was celebrated this week for its homage to veterans who have given their lives in service to their country.

Meals are available for dine-in at the post, 1120 W. First St., or for carryout.

The community is invited to join a dedication ceremony Thursday for a new mural in downtown DeKalb honoring the sacrifice of military veterans.

Ten flags were retired in a flag-burning ceremony Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Sterling.

Sterling American Legion hosts ceremony at 601 First Ave., Sterling.

When Mendota veterans processed Sunday during the Sweet Corn Festival, they made a surprise detour. They delivered a big salute to a visiting veteran about to turn 100.

The annual Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive event Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at McHenry's Veteran's Park remembers veterans of World War II and the Korean War.

The McHenry VFW Post 4600 plans to take two large panels of historic, World War II era photos once the right spot for them is determined.

Annual Spirit of '45 event honors WWII veterans and the "Greatest Generation," organizers said. This year's tribute includes a special photo display of veterans.

According to long-time Legion member Mike Wolber, the Legion this year used 60 bags of charcoal and grilled 920 birds, 300 at a time, to meet the demands of the public.

For 43 years, American Legion Post 296 in Sterling has been barbecuing chickens and offering the savory meal to locals. Monday, the club grilled up 920 birds for the annual fundraiser.

The DuPage County Recorder and the Veterans Assistance Commission will host resource fair for veterans on Aug. 21

Proceeds will fund Sterling American Legion charities.