American Legion Post 690 March 2025

Newsletter

What and unexpected surprise!

At the end of January 2025, Post 690 hosted the Palatine Chamber of Commerce for their Networking @ Night. Over 60 attendees from the Chamber and Legion Families were in attendance…

As a result of A LOT of PR by the Post, Chamber, and Business association… WLS-am690 radio contacted us, and invited the Post Commander to be “live.. on the air with the “Ray Stevens Show”…Military Monday” segment at 6:45 am.

The segment can be heard by clicking on the link below… as well as some “PRESS”…

Listen to Interview

Celebrating 100 Years of American Legion Post 690 (from the Downtown Palatine Business Association news letter)

2024 was a monumental year for American Legion Post 690, as it marked a tremendous achievement at their centennial. The yearlong celebration culminated with recognition at the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce's Networking Night event in late January, during which Mayor Jim Schwantz, Commander Mark Cramer, and other Legion leaders shared remarks.

"The American Legion is an integral part of our society, helping to forge strong communities at the local level," says Roman Golash, Judge Advocate of Post 690. "Our mission is to help veterans in need, as well as educate our students about our history."

Throughout the past year, Post 690 hosted various events in honor of their longstanding history, including a Youth and Family Day last summer.

Such activities are a far cry from Post 690's early days, when they featured motorcycle races, an aeroplane circus, and a game of auto polo. Of course, the post provided aid during critical times, too. During World War II, for example, they led scrap metal drives amid a desperate need for raw materials.

Today, Post 690 supports veterans and the Palatine community in countless ways. They host recruits from Great Lakes Naval Training Center on Thanksgiving and organize Palatine's annual Memorial Day parade and program. They also partner with Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital to lead events for veterans who are blind.

In all that Post 690 has done, they have left an unmistakable impact on the Palatine community, and they will undoubtedly continue to do so well into the future.

"Core values like duty, loyalty, respect, service, honor, integrity, and courage are essential not only for our military, but also for our citizens," Roman says.

WHAT AN OUSTANDING POST we have!!!

Congratulations and thank you for all you do.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

Mark Cramer - Commander Post 690

Club Room

We have drink specials, video gaming, free popcorn and lots of friendly people. Open to the public.

Yuengling has finally arrived. Stop in for a cold pint.

March Specials

Guinness $$3.50

Jameson Shots $4

Tullamore Dew Shots $4

$1 Jello Shots -Blue Raspberry



$1 Pudding Shots - Banana Cream Pie and Thin Mint

The Auxiliary continues to Celebrate Women of Service, we honor Sarah Emma Edmonds, a woman of remarkable bravery and dedication during the Civil War.

Disguised as a man under the name Franklin Flint Thompson, Edmonds served as a Union soldier, field nurse, and reportedly a spy. She fought in key battles, including Antietam, one of the war’s bloodiest, and risked her life infiltrating enemy lines under various disguises.

Though illness forced her to leave the military, Edmonds remained committed to serving others, later working as a nurse in Washington, D.C. Her contributions were eventually recognized—she received an honorable discharge, a government pension, and became the only woman admitted to the Grand Army of the Republic.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Legion Luau. The food was great and the entertainment was outstanding.

If you were not able to attend, watch this video of the fire dancer.

Watch Fire Dancer

Erica Bartnicki and Jill Robertson

Co-Presidents Unit 690 Auxiliary

American Legion members will visit the Spinal Cord & Blind Centers at Hines Hospital on Sunday, April 6^th.

Members should meet at the Post at 11am and will leave at 11:30am.

Bingo at the blind center from 1-3pm.

Gift gift bags will be made for the prizes.

Look for an email with a sign-up link.

Payday Raffle Winners

Congrats to the Pay Day Raffle Ticket winners for December.

January 7th #42

January 14th #62

January 21st #347

January 28th #447

February 7th #383

February 14th #226

February 14th - Valentines Day #313

February 21st #201

February 28th #108

March winners will be posted at the Post and in the March newsletter.

Veteran Movie Night

Monday, March 24th

This month’s movie will be segments from the documentary Medal of Honor.

Watch Trailer

Food, drinks and fellowship starting at 5pm.

The movie begins at 6:30pm.

It's All Free!

All Veterans are invited.

Legion member or not. Bring a guest veteran with you.

This year, the annual fish fry at Post 690 is cancelled. We are working on changing some of the organizational priorities which includes adding other new events this year. These events will be open the community and include a Trivia Night, Pasta Night, Bingo, a Golf Outing and other fun events will be planned this year. Check the website and newsletter for updates.

Join the fun and shenanigans at the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 15th in downtown Palatine! 

The annual St. Pat’s Parade will step off at 11 am at the corner of Wood and Oak streets, then heads directly west and ends at Durty Nellie’s. From there, head to the Legion for a continued celebration.  

Corned Beef sandwiches, chips & pickle to be sold in the Post 690 clubroom after the parade. 

MLB World Tour Cubs vs Dodgers

Season opener is on Tuesday March 18^th, at 5am CST. Don't want to get up at 5am to watch the game? Come to the Post at the game will be shown in the Clubroom starting at 1:30. Free hotdogs* for the game.

We know the 18th will be a fun afternoon so let's do it again for the home opener. The Cubs home opener is on opener is on Friday, April 4th, at 1:20 pm. Free hotdogs* for the game.

*“while supplies last”.

llinois passed a much more strict policy on vaping within businesses:

As of January 1, 2024, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act now includes vaping/use of e-cigarettes. The Smoke-Free Illinois Act prohibits smoking and vaping in virtually all public places and workplaces, including private clubs and gaming facilities.

No smoking is allowed on the front steps under the canopy of the Post. Please move 15 feet from the building on the sidewalk.

Come out for a fun night of Bingo on

Saturday, March 8th and 22nd.

Doors open at 6pm and the early bird game is at 6:30pm. Arrive early as we have been selling out.

More details on these events to follow.

April 5 - Trivia Night

May 3 - Pasta Night

June 7 - Member's BBQ

See alpost690.us for more details.