Joliet American Legion, Post 1080

08/18/2026

08/12/2026

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Today we remember SP4 Gary Lee Holian of Chicago, Illinois, who fell on this day in 1971. Gary is remembered by his sister, Jody:

"Gary was my only Brother who was drafted into the Army in 1970. After his basic training he was sent to VietNam in Quang Tri Province near the DMZ. His love was flying on Huey’s and serving as the Door Gunner on missions. He loved all Motown artists, dancing, loved life, laughing, and his family, friends & girlfriend Helene. His trade was Body & Fender and he was an expert car painter. He owned his Body Shop (B&G Auto Body) and had a thriving business by the age of 19. His life was cut short along with 6 other brave combat soldiers that day.
Gary will always be my HERO, and I will keep his memory alive until I see him again."

SP4 Gary Lee Holian is honored on Panel 3W, Line 129 of The Wall: https://bit.ly/3UWgoTY

To honor your Vietnam veteran on our Facebook please fill out the following form: https://bit.ly/3k7AlWK

08/11/2026

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08/10/2026

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08/08/2026

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August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam for the first time.
To sponsor a candle and purchase shirts for Agent Orange Awareness Day, visit https://www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness-Day/

Leading up to that anniversary, we share the story of CMSgt James E. Henderson who returned from Vietnam, but was stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base – where the toxic defoliant known as Agent Orange was stored. James E. Henderson passed away on December 3, 2002, and was inducted into the In Memory program in 2004: https://bit.ly/3pIcJcL

To read the blog post written by his daughter, Heidi Zimmerman, Vice President, Programs & Communications at VVMF, visit https://bit.ly/3PJDPeP
To learn more about the In Memory program, visit vvmf.org/in-memory-program.

08/08/2026

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August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam for the first time.

Leading up to that anniversary, we share the story of Bernie Friel. His sister, Ann, writes of a quiet and humble hero. Bernie passed away at 63 from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma related to Agent Orange. To read Bernie's story visit https://bit.ly/3Cg0uJz.

Please consider sponsoring a candle and purchasing shirt at https://www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness-Day/ to help "bring light" to the ongoing toll of the Vietnam War.
Visit vvmf.org/in-memory-program to learn more about the In Memory program.

08/07/2026

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August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day. This year marks the 65th anniversary
of Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam for the first time.

Leading up to that anniversary, we share the story of a U.S. Navy vet that gave his life for his country 50 years later. To read Michael's story visit https://bit.ly/3CbphhV

Learn more about the In Memory program at vvmf.org/in-memory-program
To help "bring light" to Agent Orange Awareness please consider sponsoring a candle and purchasing shirts at https://www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness-Day/

08/06/2026

August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam for the first time.
To sponsor a candle or purchase shirts for Agent Orange Awareness Day, visit https://www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness-Day/

We share the story of Dennis Kelly and how the In Memory program helped his wife, Betty, find peace after his passing.

To read Dennis' story, visit https://bit.ly/3s89nAj.
To learn more about the In Memory program, visit vvmf.org/in-memory-program

08/06/2026

August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Agent Orange being sprayed in Vietnam for the first time.

Leading up to that anniversary, we share the story of one woman who died after returning home from her tour in Vietnam as a surgical nurse. Lynda Buckley passed away at 55 from systemic collagen vascular disease.

To read Lynda's story visit https://bit.ly/3xiN0Ju.

To help "bring light" to Agent Orange Awareness please sponsor a candle or purchase shirts at https://www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness-Day/
To learn more about the In Memory program, visit vvmf.org/in-memory-program

08/04/2026

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National Day of Service - September 12, 2026
To volunteer please visit www.cem.va.gov/volunteer and carrytheload.org/patriot-day
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery & Wood National Cemetery are participating locations.