I have inspected, perused and collated certain documents that Al Reynoso, historian, has shared with me to determine and prepare the history of The American Legion’s Orland Park Post 526 and Orland Memorial Post 111. Now this is an incomplete report. I will attempt to provide the missing links to this story in a later

HISTORY CORNER report.

The application for the first Post 111 was issued in the name of N. C. O. T. C., Chicago, Illinois was approved on September 2, 1919 with 27 members. The first Commander in 1920 was L. H. Greenwood, 4410 Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Adjutant was H. Sable who was not one of the original charter members. It’s reported 1920 membership was 208.

By January 1925 there were only 98 members and the Post appears to have been transferred from 3rd District to 4th District. The name was also changed to Eaton-Priddy Post 111. At that time the Commander was Saul B. Kramer and Adjutant Irvine M. Levy.

I am not sure just when Orland Park Post 526 received their charter, but in 1932 Herman Kruspe was Commander and Harold J. Ferrin was Adjutant. Mr. Ferrin telephone number was Worth 18W2. The annual dues were an overbearing $2.00.

On May 16, 1939 the address of the Eaton-Priddy Post 111 of Chatham was 7936 Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, Illinois. This is an old bank building from the 20’s that has housed two failed banks. It is now is the home of Independence Bank of Chicago. Its Commander was George J. Murphy of 7825 Ingleside Ave., Chicago, Ill. Adjutant was Leo N. McGlinn. The address of the high school I attended is 7740 Ingleside Ave.

On August 2nd 1974 articles of consolidation were approved, wherein Eaton-Priddy Post 111 of Chatham and Orland Park Post 526 were consolidated into Orland Memorial Post 111, in Orland Park Illinois. Just before the merger John Hudak was Commander of Eaton-Priddy Post 111 and Robert G. Johnson was the Commander of Orland Park Post 526 and became the first Commander of the new approved Orland Memorial Post 111.

Orland Memorial Post 111 now meets in the George Brown Veterans Center, Orland Park, Illinois. Thomas Chambers is the Commander and the Adjutant is Greg Bowling.

Orland Memorial Post 111 has been active for many years in distributing the American Legion Citizenship medals. They are given to the outstanding boy and girl for citizenship at the end of the school year in any primary or secondary school in our area that requests them. We have a continuing record in helping veterans in need, especially in the support of Veterans Homes both political, financial and many other ways.

Originally written:

October 2008

Updated August 2013