MARC ROGERS / Journal

Left to right, Marc Rogers, Post 14 Commander Jessie Owens, Bob Pakidis, Clinton Journal Editor Gordon Woods, Ron Jones, Beverly Jones, Mitchi Tucker, Department 1st Vice-Commander Darrel Tucker, Robert Pakidis, Ronnie Richards, Kim Pakidis, and Ron Frantz.

SPRINGFIELD — Recently at the Illinois AMVETS State Convention held in Springfield, several special recognition awards were presented to a number of individuals as well as businesses.  The awards, a number of them presented to Clinton Post 14, some from District IV and one from the State of Illinois, display the appreciation of the AMVETS at every level for the support they receive throughout the state to achieve their goal of “Veterans Helping Veterans.”

It began with the Clinton Journal receiving the District IV Outstanding Firm Recognition Award.  The letter of nomination for this award submitted by AMVETS Post 14 states the following:

“AMVETS Post 14 members cannot speak for every veteran, but we would like every AMVET and veteran to know how much we appreciate the publishing of our articles in the Clinton Journal.  This gesture of support by editor Gordon Woods and the Clinton Journal has helped Post 14 grow in membership and become a veterans organization to be appreciated and recognized throughout the area.”

The next honor was presented to Mitchi W. Tucker for being the AMVETS (Veterans) Contributor of the Year for the State of Illinois.  This award is presented to a person who shows exemplary support for AMVETS and veterans.  Some of the examples of Mrs. Tucker’s support of AMVETS and veterans, as stated in the nomination letter, include: 

• She has worked, and continues to work, at our Post Fundraisers (May Days Festival, Clinton Fourth of July Celebration, AMVETS Poker Run, and the Apple and Pork Festival) by acting as the main cashier, cleaning the serving equipment both before and after use, washing and mending the serving towels and aprons, and helping to inventory the yearly supplies needed for making snow cones.

• Mitchi has developed and maintains a Post 14 PowerPoint for presentation at the annual Clinton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.  She also arranges for the LCD projector to display the PowerPoint each year.  Because this presentation has helped develop interest in our Post and has been helpful in both recruiting new members and publicizing our mission of “Veterans Helping Veterans,” the PowerPoint has become an essential focus of Post 14’s Expo booth.

• She has assisted, and continues to help, with the publication of articles about AMVETS Post 14 in both area newspapers and in the AMVETS newspaper.  As an English teacher, she edits our Post correspondence (application for our Post Grant, fund-raising letters, as well as the thank you letters to contributors).  Of special note, her editing of Post 14’s applications for State Awards has helped our Post win various honors, some on multiple occasions.  Our Post has received very positive community and AMVET feedback on the effectiveness of our Post correspondence and news articles.

Another prestigious award for the entire state of Illinois was presented to Robert Pakidis, son of Bob and Kim Pakidis for the Crete Memorial Outstanding Scout in Illinois Award.  This award is presented based on the scout’s exceptional record of attendance, service to the community, adherence to the Scout Oath, consistent record of advancement, and outstanding contributions to the Troop.  Robert was chosen over many other Scout applicants, because he excels in all these categories.

Darvin Volker received the Francis Swinnen Award, which is presented based on an individual’s support of Americanisms in his/her community.  This award was created in memory of Illinois Past Department Commander Ben Flerlage, and was presented by his widow Elsie Flerlage to Post 14 Commander Jessie Owens on behalf of Mr. Volker.

Finally, the recipient of the AMVETS Post 14 AMVET of the Year was presented to Bob Pakidis.  This award was based on his significant contributions towards the mission of AMVETS: “Veterans Helping Veterans.”  Even while working countless hours at Clinton Power Station, Bob finds time to give what free time he has to AMVETS Post 14, in addition to supporting various community functions, such as the Exelon Cleanup Day at Weldon Springs State Park and our local Clinton Scout Troop.