Phil Stander has been a dedicated member of the Sons of The American Legion since 2005, when he joined Squadron 911 in Wauconda, Illinois. Since that time, he has remained actively involved at every level of the organization, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the mission and values of The American Legion Family.
Phil’s eligibility in the Sons of The American Legion is through his grandfather, Frank Stander, who honorably served as a Private First Class in the United States Army during World War I. His family’s connection to The American Legion dates back to 1919 with the founding of Sesterhenn Post 166 in Glenview, Illinois. The post was named in honor of Joseph Sesterhenn, Frank Stander’s brother-in-law, who was wounded in action on October 4, 1918, and passed away later that evening in a field hospital.
The Stander family has maintained a proud legacy of service and involvement within The American Legion Family for generations. Frank Stander served as Commander of Post 166 in 1939, while Catherine (Sesterhenn) Stander remained an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary until her passing in 1979. Family gatherings were often filled with stories and memories centered around service, patriotism, and the importance of The American Legion.
Phil’s family continues that tradition of service today. His wife, Maureen Kuchta, and his three daughters, Mary, Courtney, and Tiffany, are members of the American Legion Auxiliary. His grandson, Jack, is a member of the Sons of The American Legion. Courtney’s husband, Cody Gardenier, currently serves in the United States Army and is stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also a member of Post 911 in Wauconda.
In 1985, Phil founded Stander’s Landscaping, where he developed strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills through years of successfully operating and managing a business. His professional experience has reinforced his ability to motivate teams, manage complex projects, and achieve goals in a timely and professional manner.
Throughout his years of service, Phil has held numerous leadership positions at the Squadron, District, Division, and Detachment levels. He served as Detachment Commander for the Detachment of Illinois from 2019 to 2021 and has also served on the National Child Welfare Foundation Committee as a consultant. Most recently, he served as the Central Region Membership Chairman.
Honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans and supporting the Four Pillars of The American Legion remain central to Phil’s lifelong dedication to the organization. He remains committed to continuing his service in any capacity that helps strengthen and advance the mission of the Sons of The American Legion.
