Bond County Memorial VFW Post 1377 and Auxiliary

06/19/2026

Friendly reminder that Veteran 2 Veteran of Bond County is meeting on 23 June 2026!

Please come join us!! We're looking forward to meeting you. 🇺🇲🫡😊

06/19/2026

This RED Friday, let’s by telling Congress to NOT cut their benefits.

Take action now! https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/138035/Respond

06/17/2026

Congratulations to 1377 Auxiliary for meeting all the Circle of Excellence criteria for the 2025-26 this year, and to 1377's very own Laura Knackstedt for being named Dept of Illinois VFW Auxiliary District President of the Year. Pictured are Deb Marti VFW Auxiliary 1377 President and Laura with their awards. Job well done ladies!! Well deserved.

06/14/2026

Today is Flag Day!

Flag Day has been observed for more than 150 years, but its origins can be traced all the way back to June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress declared, "The Flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation."

In 1861, a celebration of the American Flag in Hartford, Connecticut focused on the Americanization of immigrant children, in 1889 the principal of a free kindergarten for the poor in New York City started a Flag Day initiative that caught the eye of the State Department of Education, and in 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin, proposed a resolution to the city of Philadelphia to observe June 14 as Flag Day (unfortunately, as she was a woman, this was largely ignored). Presidents Wilson and Coolidge, in 1916 and 1927, issued proclamations declaring June 14 Flag Day, but it was not until 1949 that President Truman signed it into law.

The VFW Auxiliary considers observances of Flag Day and of the American Flag itself an important part of the Americanism Program. Past and present traditions involving the Flag have included distributing them to immigrants who celebrating their new citizenship, participating in Flag retirement ceremonies alongside the VFW, welcoming visiting National Presidents with an Aisle of Flags, replacing tattered or faded Flags flying in front of local businesses, placing Flags on veterans' graves over Memorial Day weekend, carrying Flags during parades and teaching children about the history and meaning of the American Flag in schools through picture books and youth programs.

Happy Flag Day from the VFW Auxiliary!

06/14/2026

Happy 251st Birthday

251 years of defending freedom. 🇺🇸🛡️

From the first musket shots in 1775 to the high-tech, multi-domain force of today, our Soldiers have always been, and always will be, ready to answer the call.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

The Bond County Sheriffs Department is seeking information in regards to a pedestrian that was struck in the roadway on Pocahontas Rd. just south of the village. This incident happened on Tuesday evening around approximately 9:53 PM. EMS personnel along with sheriff deputies responded and located a 33-year-old female who had been struck by a vehicle. Deputies on scene believe that the vehicle involved continued south bound on Pocahontas Rd. towards IL Rt. 143.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact our Office.

Sheriff Josh Hill and Staff

06/12/2026

Today is is National Women Veterans Recognition Day.

As explained by the VA, this is not a Veterans Day just for women, but a celebration of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, which was significant in that is allowed women the right to permanently and fully serve in the regular armed forces (and to be recognized as veterans after doing so).

Prior to the signing of this act, military women (save for nurses) were sent home after each conflict. Many were not treated as veterans who served their nation, but like civilians. They were often denied the rights and benefits afforded to men who'd served beside them, simply because of their gender. The act "deemed women essential to war efforts and allowed them to serve in the regular armed forces full time," (Missina Schallus, VA news).

Women have served in conflicts and wars throughout America's history, including the Civil War and the Revolutionary War, in positions as nurses and support staff (and even as spies!).

The VA notes, "Currently, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a state-recognized commemoration. This year, the states of Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah... and Wisconsin will recognize" it, as will the Virgin Islands.

With that in mind, today and every day we salute women veterans, regardless of when, where, how or how long they served, or whether they reside in a state that recognizes the holiday. Thank you all.

06/09/2026

It takes three little parts and a few practiced twists and turns of the hand to create a perfect “Buddy”® Poppy. But this mighty little flower improves the l...