Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County
135 N. Schuyler, Kankakee
(815) 937-8489
(815) 937-3655 (fax)
E-mail: vac@k3county.net
Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed noon-1 p.m. for lunch; Monday through Friday.
Superintendent: Richard Campbell
The Veterans Assistance Commission is a department of the county government. They help military veterans with financial aid programs, shelter and utilities, food and personal hygiene assistance, and food stamps. Superintendent Rich Campbell is a certified veterans officer, who assists with V.A. benefits and other programs.
The Veterans Assistance Commission helps approximately 2,000 veterans a year.
Illinois Veterans Home
1 Veterans Drive, Manteno
(815) 468-6581
Administrator: Reginald Booker
Business hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Along with the Veterans Homes at Quincy, LaSalle and Anna, the Illinois Veterans Home is operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A nursing home for veterans that was built on 102 acres, the facility at Manteno provides skilled nursing care for 340 veterans. The facility includes a unit for veterans with Alzheimer’s disease. The affiliated Prince building on the grounds provides 15 apartments designed to house formerly homeless veterans.
The federal Department of Veterans Affairs offers a clinic on the grounds where they dispense prescription medication to qualified veterans. The hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For information, call (815) 468-1027.
American Legion Post 85
855 N Kennedy Dr., Kankakee
(815) 932-4413
www.post85.org
E-mail: vac@k3county.net
Commander of the Post: Richard Campbell. Inquiries should be made to Campbell in his Veterans Assistance Commission office at (815) 937-8489.
Monthly Meetings: 7 p.m. 3rd Tuesday of every month
The American Legion represents war veterans and directs them to government services. At one point in 1955, Kankakee had the largest Legion post with 2,000 members.
The Legion was established in 1919 as a “mutual-help” program for war veterans. Their four pillars of service are geared toward “defense,” “veterans," ”youth” and “patriotism.” They also uphold and promote the American Constitution, promote civil responsibility toward the community, and work to preserve wartime memories, according to the American Legion’s Preamble.
The Kankakee Legion Post 85 undertakes community projects, such as awarding schools for work ethic, courage, scholarship, loyalty, patriotism, and other qualities. They also work closely with the ROTC Roaring Tiger Battalion of Olivet Nazarene and Wheaton universities, serving veterans and the community.
One of their feature events is Poppy Days, where the Legion raises money to buy gifts for war veterans in nursing homes. Another main event that the Legion holds is the Veteran’s Day Homecoming, a project that provides a fair for the community.
The Fort Kankakee Project is another service project headed by Post 85. Their mission is to “provide emergency relief to our country’s ‘Blue Star Families,’” which means that they provide assistance to families who lose members during wartime.
One service Fort Kankakee undertook was guiding Hurricane Katrina victims who came to Kankakee to different organizations, such as the Salvation Army, for aid.
They also have an honor guard for funerals for military veterans.
VFW Post 2857 Kankakee Inc
756 W Jeffery St., Kankakee
(815) 939-2431
Hours: Restaurant and Bar open to public. Restaurant: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m Friday. Bar: Open 7 a.m. to close Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to close Sunday. Kitchen closed Mondays.
Working directly with the Kankakee County Veterans Assistance Commission, Post 2857 assists with and finances wheelchairs, walkers, and canes for veterans, as well as assists with funeral arrangements. Banquet Hall for rent.
VFW Bradley Post 6502
370 W Broadway, Bradley
(815) 932-2605
The Bradley VFW closed its doors in May 2009. For information, contact the Kankakee VFW at (815) 939-2431.
Aroma Park American Legion Post 1019
739 S Sandbar Rd., Kankakee
(815) 939-9438
Hours: Kitchen 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. Closed Sundays. Bar: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Office hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day.
They plan special events to honor veterans, such as a memorial service on Memorial Day and flag burning ceremony on Flag Day. They also host a Fishing Derby in August.
Let Freedom Ring Garden
The “Let Freedom Ring” Garden was completed in June 2008 as a way to honor the military men and women who protect the freedom of our country. Located at the entrance to the Kankakee County Museum, located at 801 S. Eighth Ave., Kankakee, it was inspired by a “Let Freedom Ring” Grant from the Principal Finance Group in collaboration with the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
A walkway of bricks, six wide in most places, leads from Eighth Avenue between two rows of six Chanticleer pear trees. The Kultivators are still completing the walkway, but only a limited amount of bricks are left. Brick forms are now available just at the Kankakee County Museum. Personalized bricks are $50 apiece.
Olivet’s Freedom Sign
The electronic sign, located in front of Olivet’s Army ROTC building, displays the names of both former and current local military men and women and recognizes current and former Olivet students, staff and faculty members who have served in the armed forces.
The dedication of the Freedom Sign was held May 2, 2009.
To submit the name of a veteran or current serviceman or woman to honor, contact Bruce Greenlee at (815) 939-1588. Forms are also available at the Bourbonnais Village Hall and the Olivet ROTC office.
Marine Corps League
Detachment 1253
Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Kankakee VFW Post 2857, 756 W. Jeffery St., Kankakee. For information, contact Mel Sadnick, (815) 932-4077.
The detachment assists regularly at Flag Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day services in the area. The detachment contributes to a number of charities, including Toys for Tots. Money is raised through an annual golf outing.