Post Commander Joe Kalisek’s member recognition speech:
"The service of America’s veterans never truly ends. Even when we hang up our military uniforms for the last time, many of us still choose to serve our people.
The bonds that we formed in the military are unlike any other. A good veterans organization fosters an environment that helps continue such bonds and create new ones.
Today, with our organization, we honor a few of our members for a lifetime of service and a great accomplishment of 50 or more years of membership in The American Legion.
We honor you as you would have honored those who came before you during your early Legion years.
It has been said; 'Nobody will remember what you did in life until what you did in life becomes memorable.' What you have done with your lives will live on in the collective memory of The American Legion, and most certainly in the infamy of McHenry Post 491.
I am reminded of a great movie in which a World War II vet is standing before his comrades 50 years after the fact, trying to sum up his life in his mind's eye when he prompts his wife to 'tell me I have led a good life.'
Gentlemen, you have truly earned it and I give to you what Old James Ryan gave next in the movie to his comrades. Gentlemen, I salute you!"