Our Tour to the Illinois Veterans’ Home – Manteno, Illinois

By Ken Bounds

After a week of bright sunshine and temperatures in the 80s, we welcomed the prediction of cooler temperatures that would allow the veterans to stay outside a little longer to view our cars.  Unfortunately, the predictions were overly optimistic.  By the morning of May 31, we awoke to temperatures in the 40s, overcast skies, and even a little unpredicted mist.  Sadly, the high temperature for the day at our destination, the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Manteno, IL, was barely in the 50s.

The unexpectedly chilly, damp weather did not dissuade several hardy V-8ers from bringing out their gorgeous Early V-8s for our first spring driving tour to display our cars to some American heroes.  Meeting early in the morning at White Fence Farm in Romeoville were:  Ron Blum - ’40 Ford Fordor, Ken Bounds - ’50 Ford Convertible, Tom & Judy Buscaglia - ’51 Ford Tudor, John Emmering - ’49  Ford Fordor, Frank Koeder - ’39 Ford Standard Tudor, Kathy Larson - modern, Joey Novak & Millie Olds - ’53 Mercury Hardtop, Roger Obecny - ‘40 Ford Tudor, Tom O’Donnell - ’53 Lincoln Sport Coupe, John Slobodnik - ’54 Ford Fordor, Stan Stack with nephew Steve - ’53 Ford Tudor, and Ron Steck – modern.  This was the first time any of us had seen Frank’s newly acquired ’39.  See more information about it on Page 10.

Just after 8:30 am our little caravan headed out toward Manteno.  Jim Larson had that pesky work thing and his ’39 Tudor is not quite ready to go, but his wife Kathy was able to participate and rode along with me.  It was chilly, but dry, as we made our way over secondary roads, bypassing most congested areas.  After a pleasant one-hour drive, we arrived at the Veterans’ Home and drove up the flag-lined entrance road where we were greeted by Sam Van Bruggen who had arrived just before us in his ’41 Pickup.

We parked in the grass along a curved sidewalk where the veterans, mostly wheel-chair bound, were able to get a close look at our vehicles.  We gave each veteran that we encountered an American flag pin and thanked them for their service.  The temperatures didn’t cooperate much and the wind aggravated the chill, but that didn’t stop quite of few of the men and women who live in the home from admiring our cars, even if only for a short time.

While some of our members stayed outside greeting the veterans, looking at the cars, and evaluating Frank’s new find as well as Sam’s pickup, others sought refuge from the cold wind inside.  It really was rewarding talking with the veterans about our cars and we hope they brought back memories for most of them.  After what seemed like an all-too-short stay, it was time to leave.  Around 11:15 we began our drive back to the White Fence Farm, arriving at 12:45.  There to meet us were Robin Emmering and Dan & Diane Pudelek; later James Larson was able to join us.

The restaurant, a true Route 66 landmark, gave us great service and seated our group together at a long table.  The food was great, the price was right, and the conversations were enjoyable.  After an hour or so, everyone began to make their way home after a nice outing, hopefully with some wonderful memories.  Thanks to everyone who participated.