Members of the Lyons Mustangs Athletic Club attended the village board meeting when the group was honored for 100 years.
By Steve Metsch
It’s not often a service organization hits 100 years.
But there are not many service organizations like the Lyons Mustangs Athletic Club.
“We don’t know of any other organization anywhere around here, maybe in the city of Chicago, but maybe around here that has made it 100 years. It’s quite a feat. I give you guys a lot of credit,” Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty said.
“You have done great things. I’m happy to support you guys. I’m happy to cheer you guys on,” Getty said.
At the Lyons Village Board meeting of June 4, Getty read into the record a proclamation honoring the Lyons Mustangs, which started in 1924.
The proclamation calls them “a community organization with a focus on social and recreational activities for its members.”
“Since that time, the club has provided a community based athletic club for hundreds of likeminded individuals to gather, bond and socialize,” the proclamation read.
The Mustangs have “improved the lives of its members with its existence, operations, comradery and membership.”
Getty added that he takes “immense pride in recognizing the 100-year anniversary of the Lyons Mustangs Athletic Club.”
Getty presented Mustangs President Gary Benedik with a copy of the proclamation, a plaque and a framed U.S. flag that was flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
A couple of dozen Mustangs – each wearing bright blue T-shirts touting the organization – broke into applause.
“Chris, I want to thank you, the board, all the residents for all you’ve done today and years past. One-hundred years is a great milestone,” Benedik said.
It’s noted on every car in Lyons as the village’s vehicle sticker this year touts the Mustangs’ 100th anniversary
The village board meeting was just one night in what is a year-long celebration.
A banquet was held earlier this year.
The most recent event was the Spring Into Summer event, a cookout held outside the Mustangs hall, 4047 Leland Ave., on June 9.
Held on a perfect spring day, with the sun shining and a warm breeze, the event was well-attended.
“We’re very honored,” Benedik said during the event. “We’re very fortunate, the members, especially during COVID-19. But we made it.”
Longtime Mustang Charles Haun, of Evergreen Park, was busy selling tickets for food and drink on June 9.
Spring Into Summer replaced a chicken BBQ they had hosted for years, Haun said: “We’d sell 1,500 dinners, 750 chickens. They started cooking earlier in the morning.”
If you attended the Fourth of July Parade in Lyons, you saw the Mustangs leading the way. They were named the parade’s grand marshal.
The fun continues from 2 to 8 p.m. July 13 when the Mustangs will host their 100th Year Anniversary Celebration. Called “Cheers to 1,200 Years,” it will feature food, drink, raffles and music by Da Good Times Band.
The Mustangs hall sits beside Washington Middle School.
Their annual September to Remember, another outdoor event with food, drink and music, is planned for 2 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14.
An ad book for the Mustangs touts the many accomplishments others over the years.
The Mustangs had their own baseball team in the 1920s and a football team that wore leather helmets.
A bowling team was formed during the Great Depression, which started five years after the Mustangs began.
During World War II, they collected money to send tobacco to troops overseas.
Mustangs member Vince Massarello, 58, of Lyons, helps John Donlon of La Grange Park during the June 9 Spring Into Summer event.
Mustangs served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
The group was in Lyons’ Fourth of July parade in 1974 to mark their 50th year.
Included through the years was funding of Lyons-McCook Little League teams. That’s one team this year, but as many or four or five teams when the league had more kids playing.
Longtime member Ron Melka, of Brookfield and formerly of Lyons, said, “What got me into the Mustangs was we had an over-35 softball team that played at the old field on Fisherman’s Terrace (in Lyons).”
Also helping draw him was his brother, Ken, who served as president from 1996 to 2002.
Why is Ron Melka still a member?
“It gives people a place to go. It’s safe. And, your friends are there,” he said.