Lou Ness

Lou Ness – Vice President of the American Veterans Alliance, is Commander of the Woodstock American Legion Post 412.  Lou was inducted into the United States Army, January 16^th, 1967. Lou was elected to the McHenry County Board representing District 7 in 2022. Elected as Post Commander in July of 2023, Lou is the first female commander of Post 412 in 103 years.

Lou is a strong advocate for veterans and their families, acting as a resource for linking veterans to the local Veterans’ Assistance Commission.

In October, the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) offered the National Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course to local veterans in order for them to be certified to teach the course to other veterans. Currently Lou trains through McHenry County National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), who will be partnering with the VAC in creating and delivering MHFA with a focus on Veterans.

Lou is a former Police and Fire Chaplain, provides funeral services for veterans at the National Cemetery at Fort Sheridan, and offers her chaplaincy skills to local veterans and their families.