American Legion Post 1993 in Palos Park is ready to dissolve.
But before it’s gone, Commander Terry Cornell had an award to give on Nov. 2 at the Village of Orland Park’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Orland Park’s Veterans Advisory Board and the village’s recreation department have been instrumental in helping out Post 1993’s events such as the annual fishing derby on Lake Sedgewick. Veterans from the Veterans’ Home at Manteno and Hines VA Hospital get out for a day to fish.
“For the past 20 years, Orland Park has been very helpful to us,” Cornell said. “We’ve been doing a fishing derby for the severely disabled veterans at Manteno and Hines.
“I’m here today to thank you guys for all of the years and all of the help you guys have given. A lot of them are confined in their hospital rooms and we get them out there and I might sneak them a beer or two when the nurses aren’t looking. We play cards and hang out and have a good time.”
He added that the Post 1993 closing is imminent.
“The bad thing I’m hearing is that our post is closing due to declining enrollment and aging,” he said. “We are breaking off into two parts. One group will go to Orland and the rest are going to Worth.”
Tom Chambers of Orland Park’s Veterans Advisory Board and commander of Post 111, accepted the award.
“We’ve always been proud of Orland Park. They’ve given us a home forever – even way before I came out here (in 2001),” he said. “We appreciate what the village does for us and we’re there for the village whenever they need us.”
The village gave out an award of its own.
Planet Fitness business of month
Planet Fitness opened Dec. 17 and is coming up on its first anniversary and the facility at 103A Orland Park Place was named Business of the Month for October.
“Local health and wellness establishments play a vital role…by providing accessible, inclusive and welcoming environments that break down barriers to fitness and invite people of all fitness levels to come as they are,” Mayor James Dodge said in a proclamation.
“Planet Fitness has established itself as a cornerstone for community health by championing a judgement free zone that prioritizes affordability, inclusivity and mutual encouragement.”
