American Legion Post 635

10/16/2026

This is a very late post but at our last meeting in September we had some very special guests that I would like to share.

Firstly, we have recently sold the post's building uptown to the Garlic Press. They have been our tenants for a great many years and have become like family. They had asked us for something to commemorate the years that the building spent as our post, so we put together a plaque that will live on in our old home. They then surprised us and returned the favor. They had found old thank you cards and hats in the basement for us. They may no longer be our tenants, but they will always be a member of our family.

Secondly, we had State Representative Regan Deering come and present an award to our own Jerry Vogler for his many years of service as the VAC superintendent and Post 635 adjutant. He has recently taken a well-earned retirement from both roles. Jerry will remain with the post and remain active in our Honor Guard, so you will still see more of him! Don't you worry!

10/14/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we extend our deepest condolences to the family of our beloved member, Jerry Monical, following his wife's passing. Phyllis was a beloved supporter of our Post and a mother to our Honor Guard. Her love and support will be deeply missed by all. ❤️

Please keep Jerry and his entire family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult loss. May she rest in peace, and may her memory never be forgotten.

10/13/2026

It's that time of year again! Our post will be holding our annual Poppy Drive outside of Sams Club in Normal on October 20th and 22nd! Stop by and say hello. All proceeds go to 'Gifts to the Yanks Who Gave' that provide Christmas presents to Veterans in local nursing homes.

09/26/2026

Congratulations Colton!!!

We have a new Eagle from Crossroads District! Colton L. from Troop 929, chartered with American Legion Post 635 in Normal, passed his board of review today. For his project, Colton built three sets of stairs and ramps at East Bay Camp to make launching canoes safer. Congratulations, Colton!

09/26/2026

Any military members out there with old uniforms they want to get rid off?! Heartland Community College’s CreatiVets art group would like them for an upcoming project! Let us know or drop them off at the HCC Veterans Center!

09/17/2026

Post 635 was honored to do a color guard at the 2026 9/11 Memorial Battle of the Badges at the Normal Corn Belters! It is always a pleasure supporting our local community, especially with something as momentous as commemorating 9/11 and the lives lost that day. The Corn Belters raised $3,700 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for Team Fire and HOOAH for Team Police. Thank you Corn Belters for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing ceremony and cause!

09/15/2026

At our meeting last night, we had two very special guests of honor, Diane and Roger Troxell.

If you’ve ever attended one of our events or a funeral where our Honor Guard has performed Military Rites, you probably know Roger — our talented bagpiper. But you may not know the story behind why he took up the bagpipes in the first place.

Roger is a retired Bloomington firefighter who traveled to New York following the tragic events of 9/11 to help with the funerals of those who lost their lives that day. He was deeply moved by the sadness and devastation he witnessed, and when his time in New York came to an end, he knew he wanted to continue doing something to honor those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve others.

So, what did he do? He took up bagpiping.

Roger spent years learning and mastering the instrument so he could continue to provide honor, dignity, and respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And he has done exactly that.

For many years, Roger has been a member of the Sons of the American Legion at Post 635 and a dedicated member of our Honor Guard. He has played his bagpipes at hundreds of events, ceremonies, and funerals, helping us pay tribute to veterans and others who have served and sacrificed.

On behalf of everyone at Post 635, we want to say THANK YOU, Roger, for your years of dedication and service to our Post and our community.

And we also want to thank his wife, Diane, for sharing Roger’s story — especially when the memories and emotions make it difficult for him to tell it himself.

Diane had one simple request for everyone: “Never Forget.”
And we won’t.

09/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us Thursday night in Downtown Bloomington as we came together to remember September 11, 2001.

We are especially grateful to the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard, our Bloomington Fire Department, retired BFD firefighter Roger Troxell for the moving sound of the bagpipes, and everyone who helped make the evening possible.

Twenty-five years later, we remember those we lost, honor those who answered the call and remain grateful to everyone who took the time to stand together with us in remembrance.

We will never forget.

09/11/2026

May we never forget ❤️🤍💙

25 years later, another moment of silence

It has been 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks changed the United States forever.

On Friday, September 11, people across the country will pause to remember the 2,977 people killed that day and the lives forever changed by the attacks.

But this year's 25th anniversary will include something new.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is adding a seventh moment of silence to the annual commemoration ceremony, honoring the people who died in the years since 9/11 from illnesses connected to their exposure at or near the World Trade Center site.

For the past 24 years, the ceremony has included six moments of silence. They mark the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck, the Pentagon was attacked, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania, and each tower collapsed.

The new moment will come after the reading of the names and will recognize first responders, rescue and recovery workers, survivors and Lower Manhattan community members who later lost their lives to 9/11-related health effects. It will remain part of the ceremony in future years.

The attacks lasted only hours.

Their consequences have lasted a quarter century.

Tomorrow, the silence will remember not only those who were lost on September 11, 2001, but also those whose lives were taken in the years that followed.

09/04/2026

The more you know!

This is super interesting and I didn’t know it throughout most of my 14 year military career….

This is why our organization is so important!

Did you know this? ⬇️