Mette Legionnaire of the Year

Philip Mette of rural Effingham has been selected as Legionnaire of the Year. The honor was presented at the 98th Annual American Legion Department of Illinois Convention held in Springfield in July.

Mette is a life member of the American Legion with 44 years of continuous membership in Teutopolis Post #924. He has served as post commander three times and has served as 23rd District Commander and as 5th Division Commander and currently serves as both district and division adjutant.

Mette is very active in the Legion's Americanism programs such as the high school constitutional speech contest and the Americanism essay contest. He has served on the state Americanism Commission for 14 years and served as chairman in 2015-16. He is also a member of the National Americanism Commission, where he attended national meetings and conferences.

On the local level, he is an active member of Teutopolis Post #924, the Effingham County Marine Corps League, the Voiture #1439 Forty and Eight. He also serves on the Effingham Veterans Assistance Commission.

Mette is a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, where he has served on the pastoral council, and the remodeling committee. He currently serves as a minister of holy communion.