From the Commander:

Post needs an Adjutant- and we are looking for suggestions.

Our Post has been going through some difficult times financially because of lack of income due to COVID-19. We have started looking at some new ideas to generate income and plan to implement them as soon as the State advises us of our options.

It is very important that we get input from all our members. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. We will be reviewing our options at our upcoming monthly meetings and would appreciate your attendance. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is 7pm on July 20th .

One position that we need to fill is Adjutant. That person would attend our monthly meetings and take notes pertaining to the meeting. The person would also be required to do roll call. All in all it would require a few hours per month.

We are asking someone to step up and fill this position. Can you help us? Our officers and staff put in a tremendous amount of time to keep the Post going but we can’t do everything.

If you are interested please call the Post at (630) 834 8191.

From the Quartermaster:

Election Results for Villa Park
Post 2801 for 2020-2021:

Commander: Jim Blankshain

Sr. Vice Cmdr: Keith Clark

Jr. Vice Cmdr: Mike Spacucello

Quartermaster: Dan Thomas

Chaplain: Sid Berg

Director: Ron Bongat

Trustee: Tom Forbes

Commander Jim’s (JB for short) team has a combined accumulation of business experience of 218 + years. With all this professional experience, it will aid in getting our Post back online when we get the go ahead to fully open our doors – from the Governor.

What’s Open

The Patio and Lower Bar are open. Check our calendar – http://villaparkvfw.org/calendar/ for the latest date and times.

Our Range is also open.

Our range is also open and we’re adding RSOs for more shooting opportunities. Follow the correct social distancing guidelines and wear a mask when entering & leaving the range. Masks are not needed the shooter’s box. Just go to our range calendar- http://villaparkvfw.org/gun-range/member-page/ and select a time you want to come out. And bring a friend. If the time slot when you want to shoot is not available, let us know and we’ll do our level best to get an RSO added for that time/day.

With everything going on in the world, our range has been operating full tilt by instructors who are in need of range time and classroom space. Since the rental aspect of our business has been affected by Covid-19, we have been renting the range and rooms to firearm instructors. These instructors are very much into helping our Post and are very enthusiastic in driving business our way. One instructor will conduct some range time in the coming weeks with members of a Post on north Kedzie in Chicago. These instructors insisted on coming to our Post with these veterans, to show us off.

If anyone is or knows someone who may be interested in obtaining a carry conceal license please contact the office and we can assist in giving you a list of upcoming classes for you to contact.

One of our Auxiliary members, who is an instructor is planning on putting on a 2 or 3 part class in the coming months that may be conducted in the evening. These would be geared to protecting your home, basic info on firearms and what you need, and a basic firearms class. It is still in the planning stage, but we would limit the attendance to the state allowed currently and would charge a nominal fee with a reservation needed.

Range Safety Officers needed
If you’re interested in becoming an RSO, call or e-mail us. Plans are to hold an RSO class in the near future, so let us know if this appeals to you. (630) 834 8191 or vpvfw2801@aol.com

Queen Of Hearts

Don’t forget to try your luck with our Queen of Hearts game; only $1.00 per chance.

Upcoming Meetings

July 13, 7:30 PM – Monday, Auxiliary monthly

July 16, 7 PM – Thursday, Board of Directors Committee – All are invited

July 20, 7 PM – Monday, Post monthly

News

From the Elmhurst Independent:

Health officials recently announced a new DuPage county drive-through COVID-19 testing site now open to the public. The testing site is located at the County Campus’s main entrance off County Farm Road. Individuals can be tested Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until 400 tests are completed each day. The COVID-19 test is free.

In order to limit person contact, tests will only be conducted through vehicle windows. No motorcycles will be allowed to enter the testing site.

Another site is now available in Willowbrook.

Village Meeting:

Yesterday Commander Jim Blankshain, Trustee Jim Urso and Quartermaster Dan Thomas met with village officials to renew old acquaintances and to re-solidify community relationships. Attending for the village was the Police Chief, Executive Director, Director of Parks and Recreation, Director of Economic Development and the Director of Policy and Planning. The meeting lasted for about an hour and was both cordial and fruitful. We are reaching out to the membership.

Call for Member Email Addresses:

The Post wants to re-launch our newsletter and biweekly communications, but we need to do this via email to save postage and printing fees. We have less than half of the e-mail addresses of the 402 post members.

So… you need to give us your name, cell number and email address and send it to the following e-mail address: vpvfw2801@aol.com

For your self-protection and others:

We are compelled to follow the procedures of the state concerning mask wearing.  When you enter the Post masks are required. Masks must be worn in the range.  If you are sitting at the bar you may remove your mask, but if you go to the restroom you must put your mask on. Masks will also be required when playing the gaming machines. We are also asking all who enter the Post to sign in at the downstairs bar. If someone contracts the virus and has attended our Post we can notify the people that were recently there.  Please help us enforce these rules; it is for all of our health.