Post History

Orland / Palos VFW Post 2604

Established by veterans of the Orland Park community in 1973, our men and women come from all walks of life and have served their country proudly in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By 2012, we consolidated our operation with the VFW posts in Palos Heights and Palos Park, IL to enrich our communities and service to fellow veterans.

Our post serves our veterans and our communities through a variety of functions:

Veterans – Sponsor veteran events, aide our National Home, a residence for children without parents in Eaton Rapids, MI, monetary and personnel support of the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, IL, honor table remembrance ceramony, wakes, funerals, and grave site service, and Vietnam Vets reunion in Kokomo, IN to mention a few.

Community – Support families who have lost veterans, color guard service, contribute to local charities, Memorial and Veteran’s Day ceremonies, help families of active duty personnel, and welcome booths at town functions.

Education & Schools – Public speaking events for area school students, sponsorship of the Patriot’s Pen Scholarship & Voice of Democracy programs in local middle schools, teach military history in support of patriotic school programs, color guard service.

Our post is strong and vibrant, and we are proud of our service to fellow veteran and our community. We HONOR and RESPECT ALL VETERANS for the sacrifices and hardships they endured no matter what time or place they served their country.

looking back . . . .

VETERANS of FOREIGN WARS of the

UNITED STATES

Orland/Palos Reber-Tesmond Memorial Post #2604

was originally chartered January 17, 1973 and had their installation shortly thereafter with 33 of the 36 charter members in members in attendance and Robert Tesmond being installed as the first commander. At the decision of the Post Founders, VFW 2604 was named for Michael Reber, the first Orland Park casualty of the Vietnam War and James Tesmond who was killed in Germany during WW2. Of the founding members, the initial officers were Richard Skepick-Senior Vice Cmdr, Corwin Funkey-Quartermaster, Art Lehew-Adjutant, Harold Lasch-Judge advocate, .George Hoffman-Chaplain, Steve Koveikis-Jr Vice Cmdr, George Mc Elligott-Trustee.

Your Band of Brothers and Sisters – VFW Post 2604

PAST COMMANDERS

NAME		YEARS
Robert Tesmond		1973-74 ♦
Steve Kaveikis		1974-77 ♦
Robert Tesmond		1977-78 ♦
Larry Bettenhausen		1978-81
Richard Bartolph		1981-87 ♦
Gordon Laurencell, Jr.		1987-91 ♦
Robert Tesmond		1991-97 ♦
Vicent Olivo		1997-99
John Lauzon		1999-04 ♦
Robert Elli		2004-05 ♦
Chuck Groff		2005-07
Jon Marshall		2007-09 ♦
Ron Raimbault		2009-11
Ron Armstrong		2011-13 ♦
Richard McConnell Bruce Borowicz [Deceased ♦ ]		2013-2015 2015-2018

CURRENT COMMANDER

Ron Raimbault 2018-25