Over the past few decades, residents have come to know New Lenox as the “Home of Proud Americans.” The history of this slogan can be found by looking back more than 50 years at one of New Lenox’s residents, Donald Wennlund.

In the 1960s, Donald Wennlund lived in New Lenox and dedicated his life to serving others via his position as a New Lenox trustee, his membership in the Lions Club, and his self-led charitable giving. Donald’s motto was “service to others is the price we pay to occupy our two square feet on Earth.” Troubled by the Vietnam war’s anti-war movement, Donald decided to take a stand and speak up so that all veterans knew that they were welcome in New Lenox. He came up with a grand plan to turn U.S. Route 30 into the “Avenue of Flags” with red, white, and blues proudly waiving from flag poles on both sides of the street. So, in 1969, with his own money and funds raised from the Lions Club and fellow townspeople, 200 flags were installed up and down the road.

The next year Donald took his previous idea one step further and decided to coordinate a larger patriotic movement: a rally that would be held on July 4, 1970. Donald had coined what would become New Lenox’s timeless slogan, “The Home of Proud Americans,” and presented this new “name” to the village during his event. The event was a huge success with nearly 500 people attending to celebrate the occasion.

Ever since July 4, 1970, residents have come to know that New Lenox is a place for “Proud Americans.” With his son Larry, who continued in his footsteps, Donald will forever be remembered as the “man who created a legacy for generations of Proud Americans.”