John Blanchard, the man whose organization runs the Veterans’ Stand Downs at Camp Algonquin and who has established two apartment buildings for homeless veterans in Crystal Lake will be installed as commander of the Carpentersville Veterans of Foreign Wars Saturday night.
Crystal Lake’s Jennifer Fluck will be sworn in as President of the Ladies Auxiliary of Post #5915 for the seventh time.
Blanchard served in the U.S. Navy for eight years and his time in Beirut is what made him qualify for membership of the VFW. Mr. Blanchard is also a member of the American Legion Post in Lake in the Hills.
Shortly after joining the VFW in 2007, he was nominated and elected in as Jr. Vice Commander, so being elected in as Commander of the Carpentersville VFW Post 5915 came as a surprise to Blanchard. He is enthusiastic and anxious to begin his term as commander and has various plans that include increasing the VFW’s visibility and awareness throughout the community and increase membership in the up and coming year.
“I’m sure this won’t be the easiest job I’ve had,” Blanchard said, “but with the help of my fellow officers and members, and the ladies auxiliary through the diligent leadership of Jennifer Fluck, it will be a year of new beginnings and great accomplishments. I plan to keep the customs and traditions of post 5915 alive.”
The other new officers for 2008-2009 are as follows: Larry Fillmore, Sr. Vice Commander; Terry Sunderman, Jr. Vice Commander; Charles Slack, Quartermaster; Bill Stevens, Adjutant; Eric Behler, Judge Advocate and Jack Hosey, Chaplain.
Mrs. Fluck is currently employed by Elgin Community College in the Business and Career Technology Division. She joined the Auxiliary through the eligibility of my grandfather, who was a Purple Heart recipient in World War II.
Other Auxiliary officers for the 2008-2009 year include: Linda Brooks, Sr. Vice; Maureen Kuchta, Jr. Vice; Elaine Slack, Treasurer; Wendy Seyller, Secretary; Jewel Behler, Chaplain; Laurie Patti, Conductress; and Carol Boettger, Guard.
Eligibility for membership to both the VFW, and the Ladies Auxiliary can be found on the VFW’s national website.
For more information about the VFW Post #5915, involvement, eligibility or membership, please contact Larry Fillmore or Jennifer Fluck at 847-428-4836.
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John Blanchard can be seen at one of the Veterans’ Stand Downs in the clothes room on top. One of the Crystal Lake apartment buildings is seen below. McHenry County Economic Commission (and McHenry County College) President Walt Packard presents John Blanchard with the 2008 Business Champion Special Recognition. At the bottom, Illinois Veterans Affairs Department Director Tammy Duckworth presents a $100,000 check to NASA Education at its fall recognition banquet. The money came from the Veterans’ Lottery tickets and was used to help purchase the two apartment buildings. A previous $60,000 from the same source bought the van can be seen below.