Post 673 ceremony praises veterans

HUNTLEY — Huntley American Legion Post 673, the Sons of American Legion Squadron and the Ladies Auxiliary all paid respects to all who have served in the Armed forces at a ceremony Nov. 9, ahead of the nationally recognized Nov. 11 Veterans Day.

“We may not know them all, but we owe them all,” is one of the mottos which applies to the Saturday event.

American Legion Post 673 Commander Mike Stojak explained to a gathering that the Legion organized in 1920 after World War I ended. Its key date was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which was Armistice Day.

“In 1954, President Eisenhower expanded its meaning and the day was changed to Veterans Day. Today there are 7,000 American Legion Posts who serve those who served America, representing 1.7 million members,” the commander said.

Locally, giving back is the key for Post 673.

“It’s what we do – we’re proud to give back to the community,” Stojak, an Army veteran, said.

“At each of our village events here at the Square, I recognize our veterans,” Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft said in remarks. “As we thank them for their service, consider the sacrifices that they made, putting their personal lives on hold for two, four years or a lifetime, and not knowing what it would be like at the other end.”

Local leadership of American Legion Post 673 includes: Commander Stojak; Jim Sieczkowski as vice commander, Army veteran; Dan Stewart, adjutant, Air Force; Don Smolinski, finance officer, Army; Ken Raymer, judge advocate, Army and Herb Glissendorf, member-at-large, Army. Suzan Huehn leads the Ladies Auxiliary and Mike Pickell is commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron.