Chartered 14 August 1920 — Milan, Illinois
Sepia-toned World War I American soldiers standing at attentionTextured parchment evoking the original 1918 charter document
American Legion emblem

American
Legion

Post 569

Celebrating America's 250 Years of Freedom Through Sacrifice

For God and Country — To uphold and defend the Constitution; maintain law and order; foster 100-percent Americanism; preserve the memories of all wars; inculcate individual obligation; combat autocracy; make right the master of might; promote peace and goodwill; safeguard and transmit the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; and consecrate our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Serving the veterans, families, and community of Milan, Illinois since 1920. A century of devotion to mutual helpfulness — for God and Country.

The Post logo

The Post

American Legion Milan Post 569

The foundation of service since 1920.

Auxiliary logo

Auxiliary

American Legion Auxiliary Milan Post 569

Supporting veterans, families, and community.

Sons logo

Sons

Sons of The American Legion Milan Post 569

Carrying forward the legacy of service.

Riders logo

Riders

American Legion Riders Milan Post 569

Riding with purpose, serving with pride.

Post 569 — Milan, Illinois

Hours

Open Daily · 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Address

515 1st Ave W, Milan, IL 61264

Phone

(309) 787-4149

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Our Sponsors

Support Those Who Support Our Veterans

Mazz Auto Glass

Mazz Auto Glass

Supporting Our Mission

Fundraising Events

Every dollar raised by the Post 569 family stays local — funding veteran assistance, scholarships, youth programs, and community service. Browse our current fundraisers below.

Auxiliary

Get Ready to Play: Euchre Tournament Night!

18 October 2026 @ 1:00PM

Join Us for the Ultimate Euchre Showdown! Mark your calendars! The tables are set, the decks are shuffled, and the competition is heating up. On Sunday, 18 October 2026, we are hosting an action-packed Euchre Tournament—and you are invited to claim your spot at the table! Euchre is a game of quick thinking, calculated risks, and absolute teamwork. Bring your favorite partner, or come solo and we will pair you up with a fellow strategist. Will you make the bold choice to go alone, or will your team work together to sweep the board and avoid getting euchred?

Post

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - Friday Fish Fry - American Legion Post 569

October 2026 - March 2027

Come out and join us for our amazing fish Fry! Come in and try our filets or whole cat fish, Tenderloins, Chicken Strips, with your choice of sides and some amazing deserts made by one of our Auxiliary members.

Riders

American Legion Riders Red Bull Cooler Raffle

17 Sep 26 - 19 Nov 26 at 1800

Drawing will be at 6:30 PM on November 19, 2026, you do not need to be present to win. 1st Place is a 6FT tall Red Bull cooler 2nd Place is a $300.00 Fareway Meat and Groceries Gift Certificate 3rd Place is $100.00 in cash Tickets are $1.00 each or $5 for 6

Riders

Riders Chicken Noodle dinner

25 October 2026 5PM-8PM

Come on out and join us for our chicken noodle dinner. $12 each

Riders

October All you can Eat Breakfast and Toys-for-Tots Ride

4 October 2026 0700-1030

OPEN to the Public. All-you-can-eat breakfast for $12.00 starting at 0700 on Sunday, 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM. The Legion Riders will meet at the Legion in Milan and ride to the Toys-for-Tots Ride starting point at the Walmart on East Kimberly in Davenport. Come on out for breakfast, and feel free to join us as we head to Walmart for this great event.

Post

American Legion Post 569 Christmas Rifle Raffle

04 September - 14 December 2026

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/american-legion-post-596-christmas-raffle Support our veterans and enter for your chance to win big—our annual Legion raffle is officially open to the public! Tickets are available to anyone 21 and older and can be purchased in person at the Legion Post, by scanning our official QR code, or by following the secure online link below (digital tickets are delivered directly to your email upon payment confirmation). The winning ticket will be drawn during the December 14th Legion meeting, and you do not need to be present to win; following the announcement, the winner will be contacted directly by Henry Repeating Arms to coordinate prize details and fulfillment. Please reach out to the Post leadership team if you have any questions, and thank you for your generous support of our mission!

More Info →

Plan With Us

Rent the Hall

Post 569 Calendar

Monthly Events

October 2026

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Sons & Riders

October Schedule

  • 4

    American Legion Post 569 - 2026 Christmas Rifle Raffle

    through Dec 14

    Post

  • 4

    "All you can Eat" October Breakfast and Toys for Tots Ride

    7:00 AM – 10:30 AM

    Sons & Riders

  • 5

    Auxiliary Monthly Meeting

    6:30 PM

    Auxiliary

  • 11

    Sons of The Legion Meeting

    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    Sons & Riders

  • 12

    Post 569 General Meeting

    5:00 PM

    Post

Times and dates are subject to change. Contact the Post for confirmation.

Story Wall

Post 569 Community Board

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Community GuidelinesWhile we believe in the First Amendment and the freedom of expression and speech, political posts should not be made on this page. Speaking of politics is not forbidden so long as the dialogue remains respectful. Vulgarity, threats, hate speech, and similar content will not be allowed and will be removed.

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Honoring Our Own

Memorial & Honor Guard Services

Silhouette of a soldier kneeling in prayer before a battlefield cross

In Memoriam

Report a Member's Passing

Help us honor our fallen comrades. Notify the Post Adjutant so we may pay proper respects and arrange honors.

American Legion Honor Guard emblem

Post 569 Honor Guard

Request Honor Guard Support

Request the Post 569 Honor Guard for funerals, memorials, and patriotic ceremonies.

This Month in Military History

October in American Military History

Quad Cities — Rock Island, IL & Davenport, IA

October 161862

Establishment of Rock Island Arsenal

President Abraham Lincoln signed the order to officially establish the Rock Island Arsenal as a major federal ordnance depot to support the Union Army during the Civil War.

October 221856

Opening of the first Mississippi River Bridge

The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River opened connecting Rock Island to Davenport, a strategic transportation link that would later prove vital for military logistics during wartime.

October 101865

Inspection of Rock Island Arsenal by General Rodman

General Thomas Jackson Rodman, the first commanding officer of Rock Island Arsenal, oversaw the massive expansion of the facility to serve as a primary manufacturing center for artillery and small arms.

October 281940

Mobilization of Iowa National Guard Units

Local Quad Cities-based units of the Iowa National Guard were ordered into federal service for training in preparation for potential American entry into World War II.

United States Military Events

October 171781

Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown

British General Lord Cornwallis sent a flag of truce to negotiate terms of surrender to American and French forces, effectively ending major combat operations in the American Revolutionary War.

October 191864

Battle of Cedar Creek

Union forces under Philip Sheridan launched a decisive counterattack in the Shenandoah Valley, turning a near defeat into a major victory that solidified control of the region for the North.

October 271942

Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

During the Guadalcanal Campaign, U.S. and Japanese naval forces engaged in a carrier-versus-carrier battle, resulting in the loss of the USS Hornet.

October 251944

Battle of Leyte Gulf

This massive naval engagement, the largest in history, saw the destruction of much of the Imperial Japanese Navy and ensured the success of the Allied liberation of the Philippines.

October 221962

Cuban Missile Crisis Blockade

President John F. Kennedy announced a naval quarantine of Cuba to block the arrival of offensive Soviet nuclear missiles, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war.

October 251983

Invasion of Grenada

U.S. forces launched Operation Urgent Fury to stabilize the island nation of Grenada following a coup and to protect American medical students on the island.

October 72001

Operation Enduring Freedom Commences

The United States and coalition partners began a campaign of aerial bombardment against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

October 251951

Battle of Kapyong

During the Korean War, UN forces including American-led units fought a significant defensive battle against Chinese troops to hold vital terrain near the Kapyong River.

October 151967

Operation Junction City

A major search-and-destroy mission during the Vietnam War aimed at breaking up Viet Cong strongholds and capturing the enemy's logistical headquarters in the War Zone C area.

October 301950

Battle of the Chosin Reservoir

As UN forces pushed north toward the Yalu River, they encountered massive Chinese forces, triggering a brutal winter campaign that required a daring breakout to the coast.

Historical events are AI-generated and curated for the current month.

Vintage folded ceremonial American flag

The Mission of The American Legion

"To enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
Vintage folded ceremonial American flagSepia-toned World War I American soldiers

The Preamble

American Legion Constitution

"For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes—

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate a 100-percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and goodwill on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; "

The Four Pillars

Our Enduring Purpose

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation

Promoting the well-being of veterans who have borne the battle, advocating for their care and support through every chapter of life after service.

National Security

Advocating for a strong national defense and supporting the men and women currently serving in our Armed Forces at home and abroad.

Americanism

Fostering patriotism through education, flag etiquette, and youth programs that instill the values and ideals upon which our nation was founded.

Children & Youth

Protecting and mentoring the children and youth of our community through scholarship programs, youth sports, and civic engagement opportunities.

Historical war memorial monument in an American town squareClassic American community hall at dusk

A Living Legacy

Since 1920

1919

The American Legion Founded

The American Legion was formally chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919, uniting veterans across the nation in a mission of mutual helpfulness and community service.

1920

The Charter

On August 14, 1920, American Legion Post 569 was chartered in Milan, Illinois — born from the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Great War, joining a growing national movement of veteran service.

1944

The G.I. Bill

The American Legion was instrumental in drafting and passing the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, transforming the lives of millions of returning veterans and shaping modern America.

Today

Still Serving

Post 569 continues its century-long tradition of service to the veterans and community of Milan, Illinois — honoring the past while building for the future.

Current Command

Post 569 Officers

  • CommanderLeslie Arbuckle
  • Sr. Vice CommanderWard Haynes
  • Jr. Vice CommanderTodd Ireland
  • AdjutantArthur Panick
  • Finance OfficerJeff DeMarlie
  • Sgt. At ArmsRichard Freymann
  • Service OfficerCharlie Thompson
  • ChaplainPaul Weber
  • TrusteesGary Nickell, Keith Graham, Bob Bickle, Douglas Hanson
  • Newsletter EditorMoose Maranda / Jerry Fowler
Weathered brass military buttons

Join Our Ranks

Answer the Call

Whether you are a veteran seeking community, a family member wanting to support those who served, or a patriot looking to make a difference — there is a place for you at Post 569.

Join The LegionLearn More

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  • Arthur PanickAug 27, 2026

    This post has a great Fish Fry

    Report

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