Following the founding of the American Legion after World War I, a group
of Lake
Forest IL Veterans organized the George Alexander McKinlock Jr. Post
in 1919. Alexander, as he preferred to be called, was believed to be the first
Lake Forester
killed in action during the First World War. Meeting in the Young Men’s
Club, the Veterans named the Post after Lt. McKinlock, was with a machine gun group when he was killed in France.
Following the notification of her son’s death, the Army, after a
10 month search, could not locate his grave. His Mother searched grave sites
in France for months before finding a
grave marked “McKinlow”, but his helmet was hanging on a little cross with his correct name inside.
The mission of the McKinlock Post is to promote loyalty to Country and Patriotism,
not only in the times of conflict, but in the times of peace, and to teach respect for our Nation’s Flag. Through our efforts of fund raising, our primary mission is to Assist and Support
our Veterans, Support our Youth and Promote Patriotism.