The 2025 Monee Fall Fest Parade celebrated the village’s military with American Legion Commander David Batzek and Auxiliary President Sheila Stepanovic as grand marshals.
Batzek is a long time member of the Legion, who joined the Army National Guard “half-way through senior high school,” serving from 1989 to 2007.
“Left for Basic a couple days after graduation,” he said. “My training and job was 52D – Power Equipment Generator Repair.
“My grandfather served in the Army in WW II, my uncle was in the Navy during Korea, and my father was in the Navy during Vietnam.”
Now in his eighth year as commander, Batzek noted the group is “a very relaxed and welcoming post – open to anyone.
“I like the members we have, and we’re always trying to find new members.
Anyone who has served any branch of service honorably can join. Strength is in numbers – we need numbers. And if you don’t qualify, you may qualify for Sons of American Legion or Auxiliary, if you have had family in the military.”
Although the post doesn’t have a permanent home at the moment, it offers “lots of assistance to the community and Manteno Veterans Home,” as well as help in finding Veterans Assistance information.
A 26-year resident of Monee, he noted he and his family “have met lots of wonderful people in the community.”
He and his wife, Stacy – a driving force behind the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary – have two adult children, “all of whom support me and my endeavors when possible.”
Even though he is known for his poignant Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs in the village, Batzek pointed out that “many more people know me as the man that makes boards for Cornhole, as I used to make lots of sets. But it’s more selective nowadays, due to high shipping costs, and it’s hard to make time sometimes to devote to building them.”
Grand marshal Sheila Stepanovic, meanwhile, said she was not expecting to be named to the honor.
“I was surprised and am grateful to have been asked,” she said. “I hope it also brings awareness that there is a Monee Auxiliary.”
Stepanovic is a member of the organization through her son, Zachary Reasor, who served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 2011 to 2017, in the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Illinois.
“I have been a member since we formed in 2018 and became an official Unit in 2019,” she said. “I know first hand how PTSD affects a family. My ex-husband was in the military during Desert Storm and served front lines. I see an outstanding number of homeless veterans. If there is anything we can do to help, I want to be able to do so. No one currently serving or who has served, should be in despair for serving our country.
Elected president in 2021, she also served as the Sergeant-at-Arms for three years.
“We are a fun, yet committed, group,” she said. “Our members are of all ages. We have Junior members and our eldest member is nearing 100! We currently have 16 members but would certainly welcome more.
“We don’t provide any particular services,” she continued, “but are willing to help if we can. We did a ‘Pack for Vets Association;’ we were able to provide them backpacks filled with necessities homeless veterans would need.”
The auxiliary has no specific project going on right now, but plans are underway for their annual Christmas gifts for the Prince VA Home in Manteno, which also houses women veterans.
For Stepanovic, the appeal of working with the auxiliary is its members.
“I love the fact of getting together with a great group of women to try and do our best for our active soldiers and veterans,” she explained, adding that any woman who is an immediate family member of a soldier/veteran can join (spouse, child, grandparent, parent, and sibling).
“We have a Facebook page, where you can reach out to us – American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 1200 Monee. You may also contact myself or Stacy Batzek, via Facebook Messenger, along with my cell at 708-625-1053.
“Also, come to a meeting. We meet at Frankie’s Pizza, the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to come and see what we are about and hopefully join us in our endeavors.
“My husband, Pete, a retired union electrician, and I have seven kids. His, mine and ours. We have six boys and one girl. Four of them graduated from the CM201-U District and have been involved in all the Monee sports available.”
She and her family have lived in Walker’s Grove for 24 years.