History of American Legion Post #964
A Temporary Charter was issued on February 26, 1946 establishing Lake Zurich Post #964 as part of The American Legion. The Commanders were Spencer Nash (1945-1946) and Donald Rupp (1946-1947). The Post received its permanent Charter on March 22, 1948 under Commander Herbert Gehrke (1947-1948). It was then incorporated as a "Not for Profit" Corporation in the State of Illnois on December 14, 1948 under Commander Weber Runkel (1948-1949).
From the original 18 members in 1948 the Post has grown to 238 members in 2008.
Past Commanders of Lake Zurich Post 964 |
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| Name | Years In Office | |
The American Legion Temporary Charter |
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| Spencer Nash | 1945 - 1946 | |
| Donald Rupp | 1946 - 1947 | |
The American Legion Permanent Charter |
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| Herbert Gehrke | 1947 - 1948 | |
| Weber Runkel | 1948 - 1949 | |
| Frank Messman | 1949 - 1950 | |
| Ferguson Harkness | 1950 - 1952 | |
| Charles Mionske | 1952 - 1953 | |
| A. L. Wegner | 1953 - 1954 | |
| G.E. Fehlman | 1954 - 1955 | |
| Jerome Gudgeon | 1955 - 1956 | |
| Roger Wendt | 1956 - 1957 | |
| George Kuba | 1957 - 1958 | |
| Thomas Young | 1958 - 1959 | |
| Henry Heinsohn | 1959 - 1960 | |
| Richard Grubnau | 1960 - 1961 | |
| Thomas Rizzo | 1961 - 1962 | |
| Norbert Knigge | 1962 - 1963 | |
| Norman Samkus | 1963 - 1964 | |
| Frank Hames | 1964 - 1965 | |
| Frank Blanchard | 1965 - 1966 | |
| Lewis Burritt | 1966 - 1967 | |
| August Markwart | 1967 - 1968 | |
| Bernard Groves | 1968 - 1969 | |
| Louis Walston | 1969 - 1970 | |
| Chester Link | 1970 - 1971 | |
| Harold Blackwell | 1971 - 1973 | |
| Michael Rosanova | 1973 - 1976 | |
| Murray Patton | 1976 - 1977 | |
| Thomas Rizzo | 1977 - 1978 | |
| Frank Moshkal | 1978 - 1979 | |
| Michael Rosanova | 1979 - 1981 | |
| Leo Niemasik | 1981 - 1983 | |
| Frank Moshkal | 1983 - 1984 | |
| Chuck Gugliemino | 1984 - 1985 | |
| Rudy Valesquez | 1985 - 1987 | |
| Frank Moshkal | 1987 - 1988 | |
| Robert Klein | 1988 - 1989 | |
| J Paul Burrows | 1989 - 1990 | |
| Don Estacion | 1990 - 1992 | |
| Charles Lange | 1992 - 1994 | |
| Joe Haskell | 1994 - 1995 | |
| Lindell Richey | 1995 - 1997 | |
| Richard Johnson | 1997 - 1999 | |
| Al Guerrero | 1999 - 2001 | |
| Tom Marciciak | 2001 - 2004 | |
| Jim Lumsden | 2004 - 2005 | |
| Joe Grover | 2005 - 2007 | |
| Richard Meyers | 2007 - 2008 | |
| Tom Marciciak | 2008 - 2009 | |
| Mike Peck | 2009 - 2011 | |
| John Barrington | 2011 - 2013 | |
| Richard Johnson | 2013 - 2018 | |
| Angel Lebron | 2018 - 2019 | |
| Mike Hudson | 2019 - 2020 | |
| Angel Lebron | 2020 - 2021 | |
| Bob Bucher | 2021 - 2021 | |
| Mike Hudson | 2021 - 2023 | |
| Brian Barber | 2023 - 2024 | |
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Since our charter on March 22, 1948, our American Legion Post has been welcoming VETERANS from all branches of our Armed Forces. Today, we continue to welcome all military personnel who have served or are serving our country. Joining our Post enables you to continue serving your God, Country and Community. Our mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families as embodied in our preamble. Click the button for Application
POST #964 HISTORY
Charter granted
Lake Zurich Post #964 received a temporary Charter from The American Legion on February 26, 1946. It then received their Permanent Charter on March 22, 1948. Subsequently the Post received status as an Illinois "Not-for-Profit" Corporation in December, 1948. Also in 1948, the Auxiliary Unit 964 was formed and later the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 964 was chartered. At the time the Permanent Charter was issued there were 18 Members of which the only member still with the Post is Jerry Gudgeon. Jerry's father helped to build the Post Home.
Meetings
Since then the Post has grown to the present 238 Members and a good deal of re-modeling has taken place. Until the hall was built, meetings were held in various places in Lake Zurich such as the Mionske Apartments, the Ela Township Hall and the basement of what was at one time Norman Samkus's Barber Shop.
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
In the early years the Post sponsored a Cub Scout Pack which was subsequently stopped but ten years ago we renewed our relationship with the Boy Scouts and sponsored Troop 964 which is active in the community.
Churches
Three local area churches got their start by having their services and meetings in our hall. One of the churches moved out quickly when we refused to take down the neon beer signs in our windows. At one time the Post also provided a place for weekly teen dances.
Disaster services to community
Major storms played a role in establishing the Post as a community member. A tornado in April 1967 went thru town destroying many homes. The Post opened its doors to serve as a disaster headquarters to provide a place for the many townspeople who needed temporary shelter. The year 1979 brought a major snowstorm and the Post kept the doors open for three days and nights as it took that long to get some of the back roads open so that people could get back to their homes.
Harold Blackwell
One of our members who had been very active in Post activities in the early days of the Post was Past Commander Harold Blackwell. Harold was a veteran of World War 1 and an interesting anecdote is that he was gravely wounded and actually declared dead, he of course recovered but he enjoyed showing everyone his death certificate.
Service to the community
The Post is active in the community throughout the year. Our Poppy Days will find us on the street corners the weekend before Memorial Day handing out "Poppies" in return for donations which are turned over to the VA Hospital in North Chicago..
We also have our Pancake Breakfast with The Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and our Tuesday Bingo evenings, which are our fundraisers so we can provide assistance to veterans in the North Chicago Veterans Hospital and help needy veterans through the Lake County Veterans Assistance Committee. We also sponsor Juniors from Lake Zurich High School as selected by their counselors, to attend Premier Boys State at Eastern Illinois University. This is a hands-on seminar on the workings of local and state government. Annually we present The American Legion School Award to an eighth grade boy and girl as selected by their principal. They receive a certificate, a medallion and a US Savings Bond.
Flag retirement
Each June on the 2nd Friday of the month before our regular monthly meeting we have an outside ceremony, the public is invited to join us and observe the proper disposal of old, torn and tattered American Flags. It is all done in accordance with regulations issued by The American Legion and the US Flag code.
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