The rainy, cold weather didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending Illinois Day 2014! The VFW Department of Illinois and its Ladies Auxiliary visited the National Home community this past weekend. They made sure there was lots of fun for our young people, from a gunny sack race to gobble up doughnuts to pumpkins to decorate in bright colors like pink, yellow, and purple. The visitors also walked around the National Home community and toured Illinois I and 2 homes, the Guest Lodge and Chapel, the preschool and child care center, the Firebarn, and the Museum. Dick McLaughlin Dick McLaughlin is from Napperville, Illinois VFW Post 3873. “At our meetings, we always pray for the Home,” he said. This past weekend was the first time Mr. McLaughlin had visited our campus. “It’s beautiful,” he said. Mr. McLaughlin is a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, and said the Illinois House looked just like the house of home. “It’s a wonderful thing you are doing here,” he said. Susan Dorn Susan Dorn hails from Ramsey, Illinois. She is very involved in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary – she is the president of Ladies Auxiliary 99 in Decatur, Illinois; the District 11 president; and the Veteran and Family Support Chairman for the VFW. Department of Illinois. This was also her first visit to the National Home. “I love it,” she said. The Chapel was her favorite place to visit. “I just got a feeling when I walked in the door,” she said. Ms. Dorn was impressed by what she saw at the National Home. “You are doing a good job,” she said. After lunch, several people from the VFW Department of Illinois and its Ladies Auxiliary, including National Home Chairman Mike McGrath, Ms. Dorn, Department Commander John Davin, and Department President Diana Rudeen, spoke to the group. The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 presented its donations from its recent .1K race to benefit the National Home. Thank you, Illinois, for all that you do for the National Home and its residents! Check out our Flickr for more pictures from Illinois Day 2014!!!