The American Legion
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth.
Mission: The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
Danner-Madsen American Legion Post 663
426 Industry Ave, Gardner, IL 60424 (815) 237-2747
Mazon American Legion Post 352
Meetings are held quarterly on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7PM, 508 Depot St, Mazon, IL 60444 (815) 448-2550
Minooka American Legion Post 1188
Meeting time: The second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Minooka Village Hall near the Creamery. FACEBOOK Website http://minookalegion1188.org/
Morris American Legion Post 294
212 W. Washington St, Morris, IL 60450 815-942-0183. Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at 7PM. The post is located at 212 W. Washington St. Morris. Office hours are weekday mornings. The post was chartered on 1 November 1919. FACEBOOK website legionpost294.org
AMVETS (American Veterans)
MISSION:To enhance and safe- guard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services. National Website
AMVETS Post 53
Meets in Morris. Contact: Elton Monson Phone: 815-274-1686 for meeting time and location.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Founded on September 25, 1920.
Mission: We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
Chief Shabbona DAV Chapter 86
The chapter meets at the American Legion in Morris on the third Wednesday of the month at 7PM. It does not meet in July and August. The chapter area covers Grundy, LaSalle, and Livingston counties.
Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.
MISSION: Members of the Marine Corps League join in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving traditions. Promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service. Effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy. Voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, Chaplains, and former Marines, FMF Corpsmen, Chaplains, and their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.
Jesse L. Johnson Grundy County Marine Corps League Detachment 1372
Meets in Morris at the American Legion on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7PM. FACEBOOK
The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses (The Forty & Eight)
Founded in 1920. La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses) is an independent, by invitation, honor society of American veterans, more commonly known as “The Forty & Eight”. The Forty & Eight is committed to charitable and patriotic aims. Our purpose is to uphold and defend the United States Constitution of the United States, to promote the well-being of veterans, their widows, widowers, and orphans, and to actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include among others, programs that promote child welfare and nurses training. Membership is by invitation, and open only to honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces
40&8 La Voiture Locale 1195
Meets at the Morris City Hall conference room monthly on the 4th Monday. Attendance is by invitation. To contact: send us a message and we will forward.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Our Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.
Our Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.
Saint Juvin VFW Post 1336
Meetings are held the 1st Sunday of the month at 1PM at the Country Meadows Club House, 67 Oregon Trail, Diamond. FACEBOOK
John Martin Steele VFW Post 6049
309 McKinley St, Morris, IL 60450 (815) 942-0605 Meets in Morris at 7PM on the second Wednesday of the month. Post location corner of Rt 47 and McKinley St. FACEBOOK
Veterans Assistance Commission of Grundy County
The Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission (GCVAC) is an independent county commission that is operated by and for veterans for the purpose of promoting the welfare of honorably discharged veterans of military service, and their families; to act as a central service office for all veteran organizations and to assist with all VA claims work referred to the commission by member organizations and the community; and to have general oversight of the distribution of all relief and supplies that may be appropriated for the benefit of military veterans and their families.
All Grundy County veteran service organizations are members of the commission. They select annually a superintendent to run the affairs of the office. The office is currently staffed by the Superintendent and an assistant. Funding is provided by the county. Meetings are open to the public and are held every third Saturday. The scheduled location varies and is posted. Most meetings are at the VFW in Morris.
1320 Union Street
Morris, IL 60450
815-941-3152 or vacgrundycounty@gmail.com
General Office hours are: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Color Guards
Coal City by The VFW
Mazon by The American Legion
Morris is consolidated