Sam’s Club makes grand entrance in Elgin

ELGIN – The grand opening of Elgin’s new 140,000 square foot Sam’s Club store was, in a word, big.

The ceremony, which lasted from 9 to 5 p.m. on August 20, included notable figures such as Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, members of the Elgin Fire and Police Departments, and Marisa Buccheit, crowned Miss Chicago 2012, on hand to sing the national anthem.

With a helicopter landing and an appearance by the Jesse White Tumblers scheduled later in the afternoon, the ceremony reflected the bulk and breadth of the items sold in the store.

Those in attendance at Sam’s Club grand opening ceremony in Elgin cheer as the American and Illinois state flags are unveiled inside the new store. (Photo by Mason Souza/Sun Day)

Amidst all the spectacle, however, was a clear focus: supporting the community and honoring veterans.

This idea was conceived by Thomas Manning, market membership sales manager for the Chicago area. Manning contacted veterans groups like the Edward Hines VA Hospital and the Support all Veterans Equally Foundation to participate in the event.

Local veterans were also invited to the event, including those of Edgewater’s veterans group and local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

Veterans Norman Bellows and Don Fleeman of American Legion Post 25 served as color guards for the ceremony.

Doc Sheehan, a member of VFW post 1307, took to the podium to contemplate just how much the American flag has represented since it was first flown in its 13-star form.

“That constellation now has 50 stars, and they are the brightest constellation in the galaxy of nations,” Sheehan said.

Sheehan held that the symbolism of the flag and the significance of America’s founding documents are still essential today.

“When has freedom ever been out of style? Those documents: the declaration, the constitution, and the bill of rights will never be out of style, because they contain the feelings, the hopes, and the dreams of all people for all time,” he said.

Shoaib Iqbal, manager of the Elgin Sam’s Club, said it was an “honor” to commemorate veterans with the event and that it was a celebration for all Elginites.

“It’s all about the community. It’s all about the people of Elgin who live here, who have been waiting for this club for a long time,” he said.

After speeches from Mayor Kaptain and Sam’s Club officials, guests were ushered into the store to witness the unveiling of the American and Illinois state flags. The flags, which hang above the store’s entrance, were greeted with loud applause.

“It was very touching,” Carl Menconi of the Edgewater veterans group said.

Sam’s Club officially opened on August 29.

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