Samuel Jones is a Korean War veteran with over 40 years of service to the Post. He was born at Cook County Hospital on March 25, 1930. He was raised in Evanston and attended Evanston Township High School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 because he thought it was the best fit for him and he could also finish his education and get the training he wanted. He attended boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. He said boot camp was rigorous, but he kept his mind on what he wanted to accomplish. He was able to obtain his high school diploma while serving in the Air Force.
Jones was stationed in Guam when the Korean War started. His job assignment was a truck driver and welder. He was put in charge of all the trucks and made sure they were in tiptop shape before they went out. His highest rank was sergeant. While in Guam, he had rice every single day, powdered eggs and sometimes bacon.
At the end of his service, Jones went to Rantoul Air Force Base in Illinois and from there to Roswell, New Mexico. In 1950 he received an honorable discharge certificate and returned home.
From there Jones went to school for mechanical drawing. He joined the VFW under the leadership of Alan “Bo” Price for Snell Post 7186. After school he became a carpenter and worked for 47 years, retiring in 1993. In his spare time, he loved to bowl and joined the Evanston 10 Pinners where he was an avid participant for over 30 years.
Jones joined Second Baptist Church, where he was baptized in 1973 under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Hycel B. Taylor, Jr. Jones also belonged to different clubs and organizations where they gave back to the community.
One of the organizations was called the Evanston Wild Bunch, which would host an annual back-to-school picnic for kids where they received all their supplies for the upcoming school season.
Jones said while in the service he felt he became a better man because he was able to contribute to his country. He married Rita Jones and theyhad three boys, all of whom were in the armed forces, and a daughter, who did not get that bug.
He has 11 grandchildren, two of whom are currently serving in the armed forces. He has 21 great grandchildren and he finds joy in each and every one of them.
About the Post 7186 Veteran of The Month Program
The program is open to any person who has honorably served in the military. A veteran may be an Evanston resident, have immediate family residing in Evanston or a veteran who works in Evanston, but lives elsewhere. Deceased veterans are eligible.
Nominees can be submitted by emailing info@vfw7186.org. A biography along with a military photograph, if available, will be helpful along with any veteran contact information.
Nominations must be submitted on or before the 15th of the month to be considered for the following month. Veteran or surviving family permission will be sought.