Over the years, Chicago Veterans has helped many other nonprofits launch, grow, and create programs to serve our veteran community. We have aided in increasing membership within our local VFWs and American Legions, as well as promoting programs and services offered by our nonprofit partners. We understand that no single organization can do it alone, which is why partnering with other groups is extremely important for the success of our veteran community.

Most recently, Chicago Veterans played a pivotal role in bringing back the Navy Club of the USA, a congressionally chartered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the men and women of the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Seaborn Services, to Chicago.

The Navy Club was established on June 18th, 1938, in Quincy, Illinois, and boasts over 16,000 members and more than 70 local chapters across the country. The Navy Club of the United States provides support and recognition for the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families, fostering camaraderie among its members. The club hosts a variety of events throughout the year and works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of military personnel and their families are met.

The Navy Club of Chicago Ship 69 was established around 1938 but was eventually decommissioned 60 years later. Chicago was home to six Navy Club Ships (Chapters) and had one of the largest memberships, but by the early 2000s, all six ships were decommissioned.

In early 2023, a few Navy veterans, with the support of Chicago Veterans, came together to revive the USS Chicago, which had been inactive for over 20 years. Chicago Veterans provided the startup resources and identified the 15 members needed to reestablish the Club in Chicago.

The Navy Club of Chicago is taking the lead and will be hosting the Navy Birthday celebration this October at their new location on the Northwest Side of the City.

Learn more about the Navy Club of Chicago at www.navyclub.org