29.4 F
Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Naperville resident elected Sr. Vice Commander, American Legion Department of Illinois

-

Above / Known for his attendance, sometimes as a Kendall Cook, and leadership at American Legion Post 43 monthly socials held at the Judd Kendall VFW, Naperville resident, Wayne Fischer is now serving as Sr. Vice Commander, American Legion Department of Illinois.


During its recent state convention, Wayne Fischer of Naperville was elected as the 2020 Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Illinois, American Legion.

Fischer previously served as Naperville Post 43 Commander as well as Commander at the County, District and Division Levels.  As part of his ongoing commitment to his fellow Veterans and the 4-Pillars of the American Legion (Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth) Fischer has served on the District and Division VA&R Commission. 

He also served on the National Security Commission for the Department, on the Staff at Illinois Premier Boys State and as a Director on the Premier Boys State Board. He is currently serving on the National Youth Education Commission representing the Department of Illinois.

Since 2012, Wayne Fischer has been part of the team that coordinates the annual DuPage Veterans Foundation fundraiser to underwrite cost of sending WWII and Korean Era Veterans on the Honor Flight from Midway Airport to Washington, D.C. The luncheon fundraiser is held annually on the first Saturday in May at the Calamos Investments Hangar at the West Chicago Airport.

Fischer is a Paid-up-for-Life member of the American Legion and the VFW and is active in the DuPage Veterans Foundation. He is an Honorary Member of Naperville Responds for Veterans

He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in December 1965 with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science.

In January 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in March of 1966 as a 2nd Lt.  After OCS, he completed Flight Training at the Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, FL., earning his “Navy Wings of Gold” in the spring of 1967.  

He arrived in South Vietnam on September 29, 1967, and spent 12 months and 20 days flying H-34 helicopters in support of U.S. Marines; the South Vietnamese Army; and Korean Marines. 

Following Vietnam and promotion to Captain, he received orders for the Naval Air Training Command in Meridian, MS where he spent 2.5 years as a Jet Flight Instructor, training both Navy and Marine Flight Students. He has flown a total of 2500 hours in helicopters, jets, props, and sail planes.

After military service, Wayne spent 38 years in Sales and Sales Management in the Livestock Feed and Pet Food Industry.

In 2017, Fischer led the charge to coordinate banners for the Memorial Day Parade and festivities that list every Naperville individual who died while serving during this nation’s wars. “Remember our Fallen” banners were printed by Blooming Color.

Wayne Fischer and his wife, Iris, grew up in the same farming community in Minnesota and attended the same Country School. They have been happily married for 53 years and have two children, Victoria and Waylon, and four grandchildren.

Story submitted by Jim Vahle for the American Legion. (PN File Photos)

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
- Advertisement -
PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

LATEST NEWS

DON’T MISS OUT!
GET THE DAILY
SQUARE-SCOOP
The latest local headlines delivered
to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
close-link