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American Legion asks Vernon Hills to install honorary signage recognizing WWII carrier training at athletic complex
Summary
American Legion Post 1247 requested honorary signage on Cougar Way and Nike Parkway to commemorate the USS Wolverine and USS Sable, which trained pilots on Lake Michigan during World War II. The board directed staff to prepare a resolution for the next meeting.
Vernon Hills — Craig Warner, a Vernon Hills resident and member of American Legion Post 1247, asked the Village Board on Oct. 21 to install honorary street signs at the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex recognizing two World War II training carriers, the USS Wolverine and USS Sable.
Warner told trustees that the athletic fields were used historically as a training site for Navy pilots during World War II and that pilots who trained there went on to qualify on the Wolverine and the Sable at Lake Michigan carrier operations. He said honorary signs would increase public awareness of the site’s wartime history and complement an Illinois historical marker installed in 2018.
Trustees expressed support for the proposal and asked staff to bring a formal resolution. Director Jennings said staff would prepare a resolution for the next village-board meeting; the resolution would be honorary and would not change the legal street names.
Board response: Trustees asked whether the village had a formal policy for honorary signage and were told the practice has been handled as past practice rather than as a codified policy. The board indicated broad support to move a resolution forward.
Next steps: Staff will draft a resolution for board consideration at the next regular meeting.
Source: Public comment and committee discussion, Oct. 21, 2025.
