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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Oxford American
4Legion Post #1197 in Alpha on its post's rededication to be
5held on April 14, 2018; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Alpha community, with the support of 26
7veterans, formed the Oxford American Legion Post on September
81, 1949; the following slate of officers was elected: Commander
9Franklin Wirt, Vice Commander T.L. McKee, Adjutant Forest
10Failey, Sergeant of Arms Max Lutrell, Finance Officer Leo
11Raisbeck, Chaplain Jack Bugos, and Historian Richard Rutledge;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, In March 1950, the Oxford Post #1197 was
14nationally chartered; 51 veterans signed the Post Charter;
15monthly meetings began at Alpha Town Hall and the Oxford Fire
16Station to prepare for engagement in community programs,
17including helping the Alpha Lions Club with their community
18Christmas programs for area children; and
 
19    WHEREAS, After several years of successful efforts to build
20a servicemen's monument and to engage in additional community
21events, an effort to create a home post began in 1953;
22construction began in July 1953 and was completed in January

 

 

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11955; membership had grown from 50 members to 65 members, and
2on May 22, 1955, a Post Dedication Ceremony was held; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The number of programs benefitting the community
4and sponsored by the Legion Post continued to grow and included
5sponsoring the local Cub Scout pack, summer sports programs,
6and allowing the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to utilize the
7building; in 1962, growth necessitated an addition to the
8building, which was completed between 1962 and 1963; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Many community programs were offered through the
10years at the Post and many continue to be offered today; the
11Post sponsors the Spirit of Alpha Street Dance, community
12organization raffles, benefits, memorials and other events of
13community significance, as well as sponsoring a boy for Boys
14State and, for the Auxiliary, a girl for Girls State; and
 
15    WHEREAS, the Oxford American Legion Post #1197, which
16currently boasts 65 members, and 21 members in its Sons
17Squadron, is working hard at a three-phase renovation plan and
18has recently completed the first two phases, which included a
19new roof, a remodeled interior, and a remodeled kitchen; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The tireless work of the Legion Post members and
21the Auxiliary over the past 70 years has created something
22great for the community; they continue to honor the memory of

 

 

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1veterans and their families while also planning for the
2community that will be left to the future generations;
3therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6join the many friends of the Oxford American Legion Post #1197
7in congratulating them on their rededication ceremony, and we
8wish them continued success; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the Oxford American Legion Post #1197 as an
11expression of our esteem and respect for their many
12accomplishments.