Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 will be host to its second annual golf outing Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove with registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m. and with a noon shotgun start.
The outing with conclude with a steak dinner at 5:30 p.m. with awards. This year the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 will honor all Korean War veterans who attend a free round of golf and with a free steak dinner with special recognition at the opening ceremony. The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 has extended the deadline until Friday, Sept. 16. Registrations and sponsorships are being accepted online at the website: www.post84.com/golfouting.html
“It is so important the we recognize and remember those who fought in the Korean War”, stated Commander Mike Eckburg. “Often cited as the forgotten war, it is our duty to reverse this and never forget those brave men and women who fought for our freedoms.”
In April of this year, Post 84 Legion member Willard Fruits addressed the Illinois House of Representatives to share his experiences in Korea.
“I lost a lot good friends during that war,” he stated. “It should not be forgotten, the guys who lost their lives over there should never be forgotten.” Willard has spoken directly with congressman Bill Foster and Illinois U.S. senator Tammy Duckworth about awarding the Korean War veterans who are still alive with Congressional Gold Medals for their service. “I hope I live long enough to see that happen,” Fruits said.
Fruits, along with other Korean War veterans, will be honored at the Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 golf outing and given a free steak dinner and special recognition. They will be joined by two special guests who want to honor them personally, retired Bears players, Fabien Bownes and Ray McElroy.
• McElroy is a former professional football cornerback who played for six seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, the Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL) and attended Proviso West High School in Maywood and Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
• Joining him will be Fabien Bownes who is a former professional football wide receiver in the NFL. Bownes spent eight seasons, 1995-2002, as a wide receiver with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. He is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100 meters. He attended Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora and Western Illinois University in Macomb.
They are honored to be participating in the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion golf outing to support the Aurora area veterans, and to honor the Korean War veterans.
The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea, 1950-1953. The war began June 25,1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union and South Korea was supported by the United Nations, principally the United States. The fighting ended with an armistice July 27, 1953. However, no peace treaty ever has been signed, and the two Koreas are technically still at war, engaged in a frozen conflict. The Korean war is among the deadliest conflict of the Cold War time. Approximately 1,789,000 American soldiers served in the Korean War.
The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 was founded in 1919, and is one of the oldest posts in the State of Illinois and the Nation. The name is in memory of Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of president Theodore Roosevelt, who was killed in WWI in aerial combat over France on Bastille Day, July 14, 1918. They have a membership of more than 200 members and is at 1 East Benton Street, Unit 305, Aurora IL. 60505. Post 84 currently meets the second Friday of every month at 8 a.m. at its location.
— Roosevelt – Aurora American Legion Post 84