The American flag was raised for the first time at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Racquet & Fitness Club on Wednesday, Sept. 15, thanks to a donation from veteran Jerry Vankus.
After a blessing from Pastor Brian Mayo of Salem Lutheran Church in Homewood, the crowd of supporters, including three World War II veterans, said the Pledge of Allegiance as Vankus raised the stars and stripes.
“Timing is everything,” Vankus said. “We have a beautiful, perfect day for it.”
He said he made the donation because he loves the United States, and he had been an active member of the club for nearly 40 years.
“It’s an honor for me to do it. It’s a great symbol and it’s been missing (from the club grounds) for all these years,” said Vankus, a former Homewood resident.
Before the presentation at the racquet club, the veterans were guests at Homewood-Flossmoor High School where the Vikings band performed and the veterans had a meet-and-greet with students and administrators. The veterans were shuttled around in old military vehicles courtesy of The Veterans Garage.
“I’m just thrilled with the whole thing,” said Bob Stetins, 96. He joined Vankus with fellow World War II veteran Leo Wolfson, 103. The three now live in Sunrise Villa in Olympia Fields. World War II vet Barry Milliken, 94, formerly of Homewood, also joined the celebration.
Vankus, an Army veteran, left college to serve from 1953 to 1957, as a clerk and a tennis pro. He was on the U.S. Army tennis team for competitions, and continued to play when he returned to college as a student at Illinois State-Normal, now Illinois State University at Bloomington-Normal.
He moved to Homewood in 1964 and was one of the founding members of the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet Club. The tennis club opened in 1973. When the private club became part of the H-F park district, a pool, a health and fitness center and other amenities were added.
Vankus said he was a tennis player there until about 2000. He’s a left-handed player who also taught tennis at the club for about five years.