Union League Club, Chicago, Illinois

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From Joel.
Jerry, I mentioned to you several days ago, that I would give you some memory lane stuff regarding the Union League Club.
(Jerry comments are inserted in italics)
I believe, the first time I was in the ULC, was with you and your Dad (Romy), probably around 1950. Very impressive place, they don't make them like that anymore. As a matter of fact, there are very few City Clubs of that size and character, through out the USA. I have been, in most of the other Chicago Downtown Clubs (some do not exist anymore), and nothing comes close. Have entered the one in New York, does not compare. Pat and I used our reciprocal privileges in Boston, the Algonquin Club. Was there for three nights. What an experience. Very old, rickety elevator was happy to get off it every time. Small, small room. Had not been updated for years. Talked, at length with the desk clerk, and was quickly told that nothing happens in all of Boston, that does not pass through these halls first. I think that is quite like the ULC. It is interesting, because, I believe your Dad was the first member to come from Kankakee (and one of the lst Catholics). It was I think, in the 1930's. Lou told me that he was the second, also in the 1930's. Louie, joined while he was working at the Continental Illinois. He worked there for six years, after graduating from the U of I. Interesting, my Dad (Fred) worked for the Continental also for six years, but that was from 1911 to 1917. The ULC virtually became my second home because Lou and I spent much time in the City. That started about 1962, but I did not become a Member until about 1970. I became guilty, because all the help thought I was a member (I the same way so I joined in 1970,). Remember Mike the Door Man? He would always ask me how your Dad is. He was a doorman for about 25 years. Can still see him, hailing a cab with his big overcoat and ear muffs on as the lake winds were blowing. When I first joined, Pat was somewhat turned off by the idea. She did not buy into that Female not allowed in the main Lobby stuff (as did my Mom and wife). But guess what, it only took about a year to realize, she had never been treated as a lady, so well. Loved the Ladies Bar, where I could not enter without her with me. For 25 years, we used the place on Chicago Bear weekends, because we did not have to freeze going to and from the Bear games. Back to the first member from Kankakee thing, I have to believe that I must have been somewhere in the first ten. Not that that means much. The ULC membership committee asked if Lou and I would put on a luncheon meeting for a ULC Kankakee Membership drive (I did that last year at the Summit Club in South Bend and it bombed. Great idea. Poor planning on their part). They allowed us to invite those we thought would be compatible. We held it at the Kankakee Country Club. The result was at least seven new members. Another memory was a head bell captain. Many, many years at the club. Knew your Mom (Dorothy) and Dad. A short sparky little Italian named, Frank. Frank had a love affair with Pat. When we would come in to register for the night, he would run up to Pat, and give her a big Hug. I'm sure a no, no for Club Protocol. Then about ten minutes after our arrival in our room, not ordered, he would be standing at our door with our favorite drinks. The Food was not the best in Chicago (agreed), but certainly very good in our eyes, with great service. At noon the Freddy's Salad was my favorite. It wasn't on the menu, but was contrived by an old chef by the name of Fred. Never met him, I'm sure he passed on many years before.
Another great memory was, we held our Monthly Board of Director meetings at the ULC. Olympic Federal was allowed to use the ULC Board Room on the Fourth Floor (we did that recently for our bank board meeting, good food but presented like a blue plate special). The Night before I would join Congressman Ed Madigan, who we would fly in from Washington. They were fun dinners, because he would keep me informed on things going on in the Congress. As you probably remember, Ed was the Fifth ranking Republican in the House at the time. A little trivia though, that may have changed a few things, for better or worse. Ed was beaten by only one vote of becoming speaker of the House against Newt Gingrich. When I was taken over by the RTC, if you recall they kept me for 15 months, which was very unusual at the time (I know that well). They would always boot the top two guys (agreed). I was accused of having that relationship with, Ed as why that happened. To this day I do not know that. Ed passed away at the age of 59. Lung Cancer, a heavy Smoker. Another neat memory, was the celebration of our 40 Wedding anniversary, Pat and used the Presidential Suite for three nights, then flew to Paris for two weeks. I liked to use the club to get away from the hussle bustle of the big city. The Library was great refuge. I use to nod off in there, like some of the old fails around me (I would do the same thing just to unwind). Another memory, the political action committee of the ULC would invite interesting celebs to a lunch once in while. In about 1987, I had hired a career Colonel Retired from the Army. A brilliant guy who served as my Personal Director at Olympic, John Devitt. I invited him to attend one of the luncheons, when General Wcstmoreland (he was also a friend of Fr. Joyce from Notre Dame, 2 Catholics from that Carolina city) was to be the speaker. John had served under him for five years. When we arrived at the club, a little late, the place was mobbed. Couldn't get through the lobby. I said, John, follow me, we took a left turn into the ladies lobby, and proceeded to enter the ladies elevator. The door didn't close because Westmoreland was sneaking on. John was elated. I wasn't impressed because, later I asked the General if he knew a good friend of mine. His name was John Paul Vann. He was a War Hero during Vietnam and got killed there in a Helicopter crash while in battle. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the first to be issued ever post-humously by Richard Nixon. When I mentioned his name, the General said "that Son of a Bitch" (he and McArthur were the same egos, not my favorite) and proceeded to walk away.
Joel (2008)