Inaugural Issue and Welcome
FROM DISTRICT LEADERSHIP
From the District Commander
Patrick McLeod, Commander, 11th District
Inaugural Issue and Welcome
We are pleased to provide you with the first issue of the Department of Illinois American Legion 11th District
Dispatch.
All 11th District Post, Commanders, Sr. Vice Commanders, and Adjutants are subscribed and are encouraged
to share this newsletter with others.
The mission of this publication is to enhance reliable communication for senior post leadership to include,
policy & membership updates, special events & meetings, share post successes & ideas and much more.
That said, most importantly we encourage you to review the articles presented and distribute the information to
your post membership. Also, please give us your ideas for topics to cover and provide your feedback.
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Sr. Vice Commander's Report
Tom Jorstad, Sr. Vice Commander, 11th District
Strengthening Our Ranks by Strengthening Our Purpose
As every longtime Legionnaire already knows membership is not about numbers - it’s about capability. Every
program we run, every veteran we assist, every community we support depends on the strength of our posts.
When our membership is strong, our mission is strong.
Seasoned members also know that recruiting isn’t about salesmanship. It’s about example. Veterans join when
they see a post that’s active, welcoming, and purposeful. When we show up - at community events, at service
projects, at funerals, at flag retirements - we demonstrate what the Legion stands for. That quiet
professionalism is the “soft sell.” A simple conversation, an invitation to stop by the post, or a genuine “You’d fit
right in with us” goes further than any brochure.
Renewals follow the same principle. Most lapsed members don’t leave because they stopped believing in the
Legion - they leave because they stopped feeling connected. A personal call from a fellow veteran carries
more weight than any form letter. Reach out, not to remind them of dues, but to remind them of belonging. Let
them know what the post has accomplished, what’s coming up, and that their presence still matters.
We all understand the challenges: busy lives, aging posts, shifting expectations. But we also understand the
solution - engagement, respect, and purpose. When members feel valued, they stay. When prospective
members see value, they join.
As we begin this new Legion year, let’s recommit to the fundamentals that built this organization. Service first.
Camaraderie always. And a steady hand guiding the next generation of veterans into our ranks.
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Jr. Vice Commander’s Report
Sean D. Greaney, Jr. Vice Commander, 11th District
Keeping Our District Connected
Strong communication is essential to a strong District. Our Posts are doing important work, but that work has an even greater impact when we share information, exchange ideas, and keep one another informed.
To help improve communication throughout the 11th District, we now have a shared Constant Contact account. This will give District leadership a more consistent and reliable way to distribute newsletters, meeting notices, important updates, and information that Posts can share with their members.
Communication must go both ways. I encourage every Post to keep its contact information current and send us news about upcoming events, successful programs, membership efforts, and service in the community. Sharing what works at one Post may provide another Post with the idea or encouragement it needs.
My goal as Jr. Vice Commander is to help strengthen the connection among our Posts so that useful information reaches the right people at the right time. Working together and communicating consistently will make the entire 11th District stronger.
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Adjutant's Report
Chad Miller, Adjutant, 11th District
Starting the Year Strong
As we begin another Legion year, September and October are our opportunity to get organized, reconnect with our members, and build momentum for the year ahead.
From the Adjutant’s perspective, a strong Post begins with communication. Make sure officer information is current, required reports are submitted, membership renewals and transmittals are processed promptly, and upcoming events and deadlines are communicated to your members.
But good administration alone doesn’t build a Post. People do.
Membership is more than reaching 100%. Every member strengthens our ability to serve veterans, support our communities, and advocate for those who served.
Recruiting doesn’t have to be complicated. When you meet a veteran, ask, “Are you a member of The American Legion?” Then tell them what your Post actually does—and personally invite them to participate.
Just as importantly, remember the members we already have. If someone hasn’t renewed or hasn't been around lately, call them. Ask how they're doing. Invite them back.
Membership isn't just the responsibility of the Commander, Adjutant, or Membership Chairman.
It belongs to all of us.
Let’s start this Legion year organized, engaged, and ready to serve.
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SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Mark E. Malone, 11th District Commander, Detachment of Illinois
The 11th District Sons are looking for a big membership push this year.
Last year at “close of books” SAL finished the year at 95.78%, far under where we should have been. So, this year we are looking to fix that and return to ending the year at 100% and above again.
Every certified Squadron should have their 2027 membership cards by now, please start getting your renewals in and as always, recruit new members.
If your squadron does not have your 2027 membership cards as of date, please email me at: gcsordmem2@aol.com and I will check into it for you. Your Squadron must have your 2027 Certification Form submitted to receive your cards.
With the severe weather outbreak in our District lately, just a reminder that Illinois has its own “emergency fund” and all members in Illinois can apply for assistance. Please do your best to try to donate to the Illinois Emergency Fund and help support this great program. Information and applications for emergency assistance can be found on the American Legion Department of Illinois website.
The 2nd Division Sons of The American Legion will be having their “Fall Meeting” in Forreston again this year. We will be having our “annual outdoor shoot” weather permitting after the meeting. The “Call” along with further information will be mailed to your Squadron Adjutant’s in the next few days. Please try to attend and meet members from other Squadrons in our Division and have a great time at the range.
Any Squadron that would like your District Commander or Vice Commander to visit one of your Squadron meetings, please e-mail me and we will be happy to attend and answer any questions that you may have.
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AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
John Reece, 11th District ALR Chairman
Greetings Riders,
We have several upcoming events within the 11th District and 2nd Division over the next couple of months, and I want to give everyone a heads-up so we can prepare and ensure each event is a success.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the destination ride that was scheduled to depart from New Lenox and end in Plainfield next month. Even so, we would still like to organize a ride—or at least hold a meeting—later in September or October. Please reach out to me by email, text, or phone with any ideas you may have. I will also be scheduling an in-state officers meeting for sometime in October and will notify everyone once the date is confirmed.
Looking ahead, the Utica Veteran’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, November 1st. We would love to have a strong presence from the Legion Riders again this year. For those interested in arriving the day before, a block of rooms will be available at a hotel in Oglesby (likely the Best Western), and there will be a dinner at the Post in Marseilles on Saturday evening. More details will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
If you have never ridden in the Utica Parade, it is a major event for the Legion and a truly enjoyable experience—complete with an excellent breakfast beforehand. Please plan on attending.
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AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
Susan Yon Hanson, 11th District Auxiliary President
Saddle Up, 11th District!
As we begin the 2026–2027 Auxiliary year, I am honored and excited to serve as your 11th District American Legion Auxiliary President. I look forward to visiting our Units, meeting our members, celebrating your accomplishments, and working alongside you as we continue our mission of serving our veterans, their families, and our communities.
Our Department President, Linda Iberg, has given us an inspiring theme: “Brave Hearts, Strong Families — A Blue-Ribbon Celebration of Service”
Those words truly represent what the American Legion Auxiliary is all about. Our members have brave hearts, our Auxiliary is built on strong families, and every act of service deserves to be celebrated. Whether you're volunteering at an event, supporting a veteran, helping a family, recruiting a new member, or simply lending a hand when someone needs it—your service matters.
Here in the 11th District, we're adding a little Western spirit to the year with our theme: RODEO!
A rodeo takes courage, determination, teamwork, and heart. It also takes a great team standing beside you. That's exactly what I want for our District this year—a team that supports one another, shares ideas, celebrates successes, and helps each other through the challenges. Our membership goal is to be at 25% by September 27th, Linda Iberg’s birthday!! So, grab your hat, gather your posse, and SADDLE UP!
Let's make this a year of brave hearts, strong families, blue-ribbon service, and plenty of 11th District pride. The arena is waiting. Let's ride together!
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WILL COUNTY UPDATE
Joe Kabella, Commander Will County
Greetings from Will County, the “Southland of the 11th District.” It’s an honor to have been selected to lead the reformation of the Will County American Legion Council (WCALC) and to continue the work of the dedicated leaders who came before me.
I have proudly served in the American Legion for thirty-two years, holding various officer positions across multiple Posts. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to ensuring that our Posts remain active, visible, and supportive of the Veterans we serve.
The Will County American Legion Council brings together Post Commanders, representatives from the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders. Our shared mission is simple: to strengthen and grow American Legion Posts throughout Will County and Illinois.
We accomplish this through best-practice sharing and collaborative problem-solving focused on:
Promoting the mission/values of the American Legion
Addressing local, state, and national veteran issues
Highlighting the importance of “Be The One”
Increase membership opportunities
Communication/social media/advertisement
Collaborative development of materials
Support of Will County American Legion Posts
I invite you to learn more about our work by visiting www.willcountyamericanlegion.org and following us on Facebook.
County Adjutant Derek Lammel and I look forward to visiting a Southland Post near you soon.
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DEPARTMENT COMMANDER'S MESSAGE
Celeste Latham, Department Commander - The American Legion, Department of Illinois
September has always felt like a time of new beginnings. Kids head back to school, communities return to familiar routines, and Legionnaires begin a new year of service with fresh ideas and renewed energy.
As we begin this Legion year, I shared my motto for the year: Anchors Hold. Wings Rise. Faith Leads.
Anchors Hold reminds us to stay true to the mission that has guided The American Legion for more than a century. No matter how much the world changes, our commitment to veterans, their families, our communities, and our nation remains constant.
Wings Rise is our challenge for the year. It calls us to think bigger, reach farther, develop new leaders, strengthen our posts, grow our programs, and welcome the next generation of Legionnaires. Every member can help someone rise, whether by mentoring a new officer, inviting a veteran to join, or supporting a program that changes lives.
Faith Leads reminds us to believe in the work we do. Every scholarship awarded, every veteran assisted, every flag raised, every child reached through our youth programs, and every act of service makes a difference. Sometimes we may not see the impact immediately, but it is there.
Over the past few weeks, I have seen what I have always believed: the strength of The American Legion lies not in buildings or membership reports. It is found in people. It is found in Legionnaires who continue to answer the call to serve.
As we kick off this new year, I encourage every member of the 11th District to find one way to make a difference:
Recruit a veteran.
Support a program.
Visit a neighboring post.
Mentor a new leader.
Volunteer in your community.
Help a fellow Legionnaire.
Small actions, repeated across our District, create extraordinary results.
The opportunities before us are tremendous. Programs matter. Membership matters. Community involvement matters. Most importantly, people matter.
Let's make this a year of action. Let us support one another, strengthen our posts, grow our impact, and demonstrate every day why The American Legion remains one of the nation's premier veterans' organizations.
For God, Country, and Family
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UPCOMING 11th DISTRICT DATES
October 25, 2026, at 11am
District meeting, Post 75 – Geneva, IL
22 S 2nd St, Geneva, IL 60134
March 7, 2027, at 11am
District meeting, Post 1080 – Joliet, IL
2625 Ingalls Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
May 23, 2027, at 11am
District meeting, Post 673 – Huntley. IL 11712 Coral St, Huntley, IL 60142
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11th District Leadership Team’s Top Ten Things Legion Officers Can Do to Strengthen Their Posts:
10. Hold Meetings People Want to Attend
Because nothing says “I love my Post” like a meeting that doesn’t last longer than a Ken Burns documentary.
9. Make Your Post Visible in the Community
Show up everywhere in Legion gear. Parades, schools, farmers markets — basically anywhere someone might say, “Hey, I didn’t know the Legion was still active!”
8. Recruit New Members the Old-Fashioned Way: Ask Them
Every officer brings in one new member. One. If everyone does it, your membership jumps — and nobody has to rappel from a helicopter to do it.
7. Call Members Who Haven’t Renewed
A friendly phone call beats a guilt-trip letter every time. “We miss you” works better than “Your dues are late.”
6. Communicate Like a Post That’s Alive
Monthly newsletters, emails, Facebook posts — anything that reminds members the Post didn’t go into hibernation after the fish fry.
5. Host Events That Don’t Require a Secret Decoder Ring
Pancake breakfasts, trivia nights, chili cook-offs — fun stuff that makes members say, “We should do this more often,” instead of “Wait… what committee is this again?”
4. Build a Strong Officer Team
Quarterly planning sessions, clear delegation, and training successors. Because someday someone else must know where the key to the flag closet is.
3. Make Membership a Year-Round Mission
Track numbers monthly, celebrate progress, and keep it on every agenda. Membership isn’t seasonal — it’s like laundry. It never stops.
2. Be Transparent About Finances
Clear reports build trust. And when members understand how dues support programs, they’re more likely to renew — and less likely to ask, “Why do we have 47 folding chairs?”
And the Number One Thing Legion Officers Can Do to Strengthen Their Posts….
1. Create a Post People Are Proud to Belong To
A welcoming culture, active programs, visible community service — the kind of Post where members say, “You should join us,” without needing a sales pitch.
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“For God and Country.”
SUBMIT TO THE 11th DISTRICT DISPATCH
Please send articles to tom.jorstad@yahoo.com. Articles are due by the 20th of October, December, February, April
and June.
11th DISTRICT LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION
District 11 | 1331 Riverside Dr | McHenry, IL 60050 US