African-American woman set to command American Legion

Patricia Simmons has always been a bit of a pioneer.

The native of Newark, N.J., once worked as a welder, owned her own business in Lake Forest for many years, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been employed as an election judge, among other things.

With a diverse resume like that, news of Simmons recently named both the first female, and first African American, commander in the history of McKinlock Post 264 American Legion in Lake Forest shouldn’t come as all that surprising.

“It’s amazing only because nobody else wanted to be the commander,” Simmons said jokingly. “They said, ‘Good, we’re going to give it to you.’”

Both the American Legion and McKinlock Post 264 were founded in 1919.

Simmons, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam Era, is one of five children with three of the siblings having served in the Marines.

“It was a different era. In fact, our uniforms are almost museum type,” Simmons said of the military during the 1960s. “Women didn’t have combat roles at that time. Our place was to take the place of a man in time of war.”

Following her military service, Simmons worked for a time as a welder before getting into the business world. She opened up Just Nice Things in the historic Market Square shopping district of Lake Forest in 1987. The store sold hats, coats, gloves and accessories and was in operation for 10 years.

Since retired, Simmons, along with her husband, Gary, were recruited to join the American Legion by Bud Turner, an optician at The Village Optical Shop in Lake Forest, about seven years ago.

Simmons said although Post 264 has more than 200 members, there are currently very few women in the organization. She’s hoping to change that and bring younger people into the mix as well.

“It’s not easy. We’re trying to recruit people,” Simmons said. “I tell people if they want to help a veteran, they should join the American Legion. That’s what we really do. Our focus is on the veterans and the youth of the community.”

The biggest fundraiser for Post 264 is Lake Forest Day in August, which is put on by the American Legion. The event is always held on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of August dating back to 1908. The American Legion took over operation of the parade in 1921.

Simmons said a lot of work goes into putting on the parade. In addition to members, Post 264 relies on Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and other youth organizations, along with community members.

“A lot of people don’t even know the American Legion sponsors Lake Forest Day. The City is of course a big help because they do a lot of things, but it’s really sponsored by the American Legion,” Simmons said.

On Memorial Day, Post 264 puts out more than 4,000 flags between three cemeteries in the Lake Forest area.

Simmons is excited about her new position and the challenges ahead. She referred to a note in the latest edition of the Legion’s newsletter in which she wrote, “In my opinion, the high regard we enjoy by the community, and our fellow posts in our district and beyond is due in no small part to the devotion of many past commanders who have stayed the course and offered their wealth of experience and devotion to the post over many years and decades. To them, I say full speed ahead.”

McKinlock Post 264 is currently updating its website. To reach them, call (847) 234-9870. To learn more about how to join the American Legion, visit www.legion.org.