Veterans Day Special Section
History. Today. And Tomorrow.
A Little History
The local American Legion post in Crystal Lake has a storied history, from its 23-year-old eponym to its continued service to the community today.
Named for Lt. William Chandler Peterson, a Crystal Lake native who was killed in action during the battle of Chateau Thierry, France, on June 6, 1918 – just before the end of WWI – William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 was founded by veterans of WWI and chartered in the exact same month and year the national organization was chartered by Congress: September 1919. That means for the last 105 years, Post 171 has focused on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities. And it is part of the country’s largest veterans service organization today: the American Legion as a whole has nearly 2 million members spread across more than 13,000 posts worldwide.
In recent years, Post 171 has recommitted itself to becoming a viable resource to veterans, specifically female veterans. Post-Covid activities have steadily increased, and Legionnaires are as dedicated as ever to reaching veterans, servicemembers and communities.
Unique to Post 171 is an expanded emphasis on women veterans and their need for support. Learn more about the special women veteran publications and new chapter of SheForce generated in the area on page 4 of this publication.
Business meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at The Community Foundation for McHenry County, 33 E. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, Ill. A more informal gathering, “Conversation, Coffee, Camaraderie,” takes place at 8 a.m. each Friday morning at The Other Side, 135 Beardsley Street, Crystal Lake — all are welcome!
Published by William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171
Written by Sue Dobbe-Leahy & Stephanie N. Grimoldby www.LegionCrystalLake171.org
A Little Pride: 2024 Pride In Crystal Lake Award
The William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 has been awarded the 2024 “Pride in Crystal Lake Award” (PICA) from the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce for its support of the Crystal Lake community.
The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce presented the award on Nov. 6 stating that The William Chandler Peterson American Legion
Post 171 is honored for its outstanding work in veteran assistance and suicide prevention. Post 171 has helped hundreds of veterans, and their families receive the assistance and services they have earned. Post 171 also champions female veterans, an often-overlooked group, ensuring their contributions and unique needs are acknowledged and supported.
A Big Mission: Be The One
The No. 1 national mission of the American Legion is the mitigation of the suicide epidemic of veterans and active-duty servicemen and women.
Estimates put daily losses of servicemen and women to suicide between 17 and 22 – a total exceeding 6,000 lives each year.
The American Legion’s BE THE ONE initiative encourages American Legion family members, veterans and others to take action when they believe a veteran is at risk.
The veteran community and families are in a battle with this epidemic. In response, Post 171 has joined forces with other organizations that are the “boots on the ground” fighting each day
Commander Charlie Morgan and Sr. Vice Commander Bob Dorn at outreach event
Fulfilling Our Mission
The leadership of Post 171 and its members have been active in the region by collaborating with partner organizations, participating in events, hosting veterans’ programs and highlighting area veterans to increase awareness of and access to veteran support.
In the past three years, Commander Charlie Morgan and Sr. Vice Commander Bob Dorn have inspired community members to reach deeper and work harder to support veterans and their families.
During that time, Post 171 has hosted/partnered in the following events:
• “Legion Lane,” hosted during the 2023 and 2024 Johnny Appleseed Festival in Downtown Crystal Lake, featuring veteran resources and fun activities for family
• Vets 4 Veteran and Blue Families: a resource fair and educational event in 2021 and 2022
• Annual Memorial Day Parade and Presentation in honor of fallen heroes
• Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade 2024 featuring Vietnam veterans
• 20th anniversary of 9/11 at Crystal Lake Union Cemetery in 2021
• Partnered in the Coming Home Retreat at Bellarmine since 2020
• Distributed Christmas gifts to veterans in nursing homes in Crystal Lake since 2020
• Participated in the People in Need Forum in January each year at McHenry County College to exhibit resources and support services to community members and other nonprofit services
2 |William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 | November 2024
Riderless Horse in Memorial Day Ceremony
Independence Day Parade 2024 featuring Vietnam War Veterans Crystal Lake
Veteran & Blue Family Outreach
Riderless Horse in Memorial Day Ceremony
Gold Star Families - Reverence and Honor
American Legion Post 171 joins in supporting our nation’s Gold Star Families to provide honor, hope and healing to those grieving any military loss through active-duty service in the United States Armed Forces.
McHenry County has several Gold Star Families. In this publication, we have included our fallen heroes from the area. They also are honored with individual posters at the Union Cemetery for the Crystal Lake Memorial Day Ceremony each year.
Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Antonik
Served during Operation Enduring Freedom, age 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died July 11, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins
Served during Operation Iraqi Freedom; age 19, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed Aug. 8, 2004 by enemy action in Anbar Province, Iraq.
Marine Capt. Nathan R. McHone
Served during Operation Enduring Freedom; age 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Jan. 19, 2012 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when the CH-53D helicopter he was riding in crashed.
Army Cpl. Keith A. Nurnberg
Served during Operation Iraqi Freedom; age 26, of McHenry, Ill.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; died Sept. 5, 2007 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations.
Army Pfc. Collier E. Barcus
Served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. From McHenry, Ill., age 21: assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany; killed July 8, 2004 during a mortar attack on the Iraqi National Guard Headquarters in Baghdad.
Marine Cpl. Ryan J. Cummings
Served during Operation Iraqi Freedom; age 22, of Streamwood, Ill.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 3, 2006 from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Balad, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Jason A. McLeod
Served during Operation Enduring Freedom. From Crystal Lake, Ill., age 22; assigned to the 7084th Support Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died November 23, 2009, west of FOB Wilson, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with mortar fire.
Women Veterans Programs
With more than 2 million living female veterans in the U.S., and a significant number who experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a safe network for women veterans was created out of Illinois nonprofit AllenForce, a program that advocates for veterans.
SheForce empowers women veterans in health and wellness with tools to build self-esteem and allow individuals to find their voice. Post 171 has supported the creation of SheForce of Northern Illinois. Post 171 also has created special publications such as, “What does a women veteran look like?”, which has annually featured stories of local women veterans.
Games & Esports to Form Connections, Reduce Isolation
“E-gaming” has been recognized as a national favorite pastime, and veterans enjoy their gaming, too. Post 171 is leading an effort to create an all-new esports venue for veterans and families while also working to raise funds for an esports van. Post 171 members have developed esports events at McHenry County College along with other organizations in the county.
Along with VFW Crystal Lake, Post 171 hosts quarterly board game nights to make connections and build relationships between veterans.
Regional Connections
Post 171 is a member of the McHenry County Mental Health Board Suicide Task Force, which is a coalition of organizations dedicated to increasing awareness of suicide prevention as well as community action and education.
The post also is part of the Illinois Joint Force organization and serves on the board of the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission.
Fun and Fundraising for Future
Serving the community through outreach and engagement has been funded by sponsors, donors and members of Post 171. In 2025, the first fundraising event will be hosted in partnership with Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The Lennon Project features the songs and the life of John Lennon in a chronological soundscape. Jay Goeppner assumes the role of John Lennon. The 100-minute retrospective begins in 1966 when the Beatles made the momentous decision to stop touring and concentrate solely on music composed in the studio which led to albums like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Rubber Soul, Revolver, The White Album, Abbey Rod and the rooftop concert for Let It Be, as the Beatles final performance.
The second half of the program showcases Lennon’s solo career from The Plastic Ono Band to his signature album Imagine, to Sometime in New York City, Mind Games, Walls & Bridges, Rock & Roll and concludes with selections from John and Yoko’s final recording, Double Fantasy, released prior to his death on December 8, 1980.
Jay Goeppner and his Soundtracks band intertwine songs with multimedia images to create the monumental musical and emotional impact that John Lennon brought to the world.
The public is invited to sponsor, donate and attend this fundraising event. Learn more about William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 by visiting the website or click on the QR code.
THANK YOU!
The Crystal Lake community, McHenry County and the Northern Illinois Region has supported Post 171 since its inception more than a century ago. Leadership and members of the organization wish to express their gratitude for members, their families, volunteers, and everyone who has helped make a difference in the lives of veterans. May the emphasis on supporting our veterans continue to expand as our society serves and honors them as they served and honored us so faithfully in their military careers.
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Charter Meeting of SheForce in McHenry County
Veterans enjoy esports tournament in McHenry County