In January of this year, members of Barrington American Legion Post 158 contemplated shutting down. The Post has served as a pillar of the community for over a century, yet its active members had dwindled to four. The future appeared bleak. But hope was on the horizon. A younger generation of veterans is stepping up to change that trajectory and revitalize the Post.

Before talking to them, I meet with the four veterans who have kept things running for the past several decades. They are Andrew Schaffer and his 99-year-old father Fred, Bob Kruse, and Bob Crowther. Maybe you’ve seen them marching in the Fourth of July parade or supporting highschoolers through the American Legion Boys Baseball League and Boy’s State, which helps young people learn about government, or a scholarship that helped pay toward college tuition.

Walk past the flagpole in front of Barrington’s Village Hall building and notice it was erected by Post 158. Bob Crowther tells me there are 631 veterans buried at Evergreen Cemetery. Andrew Schaffer corrects him, “Plus one, as of yesterday. A 32-year-old.” The burial plots date back to the Post’s founding year of 1919 and are a solemn reminder of their enduring commitment.

Living History

Gathered around Bob Kruse’s dining room table, I listened to their stories of service and commitment to the community. At age 62, Andrew is the youngest. He seems to be the messenger often reiterating their mission: “It’s all about helping veterans who need assistance and giving back to the community.” His father Fred, a WWII Army veteran, serves as the Post’s Commander. When he speaks, it’s an oral history. Bob Kruse embodies the spirit of fellowship: “The military isn’t easy. We stick together and share our stories.” Bob Crowther wants to inspire future generations. “When we are visible in the community young people see they have options.”

Who will continue this legacy? That was the question, and the answer came swiftly when I met Joe Bosnick and Dave Selmo, two former U.S. Marines who happened to live across the street from each other in Barrington.

Dave Selmo graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002. He joined the Marines and trained as an attack pilot. A veteran of multiple Middle Eastern deployments including Iraq in 2008, he also served as a legislative fellow and congressional liaison in Washington, D.C. In the Reserves he assisted in disaster response as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer. He retired from the military in 2023 and now flies planes as a pilot for United Airlines. Married and the father of two young children, Dave was familiar with Barrington as his aunt and uncle have lived here for many years.

Joe Bosnick enlisted in the Marines in 2001 serving in the infantry. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 – 2005. After his service, he went to college studying Middle Eastern studies, government and history. Graduating in 2012, he re-enlisted in the Marines as an Infantry officer and served until 2016. He now works in medical device sales. His wife grew up in Inverness, so their decision to live in Barrington was simple: “Barrington is a nice small town with good schools,” he said.

Out of the military, Joe and Dave asked themselves how they might continue to serve.

Confidence and Trust

“Military service is a shared experience,” Joe says. “You learn to subordinate yourself to something greater. When you leave there’s a hole to fill.” He looks at Dave who is nodding his head in agreement. Their affirmation of each other is noticeable. It’s more than fondness. There’s confidence and trust.

Once they found each other, they started looking for other military veterans in the area. They searched for tell-tale signs of veterans—hats, license plate slogans, flags. They invited those they found to meet once a month in a social setting at the Blue Heron restaurant or Cook Street Coffee. Through word of mouth and their Barrington Veterans Instagram account their network grew. With full-time jobs and young families, they kept things loose. Their initial outreach to Post 158 went unheeded. Then Bob Crowther began attending their social gatherings. “Bob was the conduit to us learning more about Post 158,” Dave says.

When Paul Corwin, a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam era and member of former VFW Post 7706 that shuttered in 2021, asked them to march in the Fourth of July Parade and be a part of the Memorial Day service Joe, Dave and their network of vets stepped up.

Still, they were wary of formal organizations that required rules, protocols, and a hierarchy. “We are of a different era, with different views, and being younger have multiple demands on our time,” Dave explained. But when they heard that Post 158 might be disbanding, they continued talking with Andrew, Fred and the two Bobs. They discussed positions, priorities, and realized they could make a meaningful impact.

…………………………………….

When I asked how the community can support them, all the veterans I talked with said the same thing—we need a building.

…………………………………….

The transition from one generation of veterans to another is ongoing. Dave is now serving as Financial Officer and Joe is Adjutant to Commander Fred Schaffer. They have recruited 12 new members and want to organize a 5K run in Citizens Park and possibly add an auxiliary program that would include family and friends.

Assisting Other Veterans

Despite the generation gap, shared goals of assisting fellow veterans and giving back to the community are what’s saving Barrington American Legion Post 158. To grow and prosper, they want to recruit more members and have a dedicated building that makes them visible in the community. Currently, they are meeting at the Barrington Area Library on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. All veterans are welcome to attend. When I asked how the community can support them, all the veterans I talked with said the same thing—we need a building. Who’s going to step up for them?

For more information and to support Barrington American Legion Post 158, contact Joe Bosnick by email at post158barrington@gmail.com or call 847-857-8216. Follow on Instagram: @barringtonveterans.