Two deserving Vikings were presented with Viking of the Year recognition during the 2024 IOV Convention held in Muskegon, MI.

Pictured above are Bill Hendry, Harald Lodge #13 and Faisel Abdelkader, Linne’ Lodge #57 (center), with the Viking of the Year Committee members, Christopher Jandt and Tom Jandt (left) and Nancy Conrad (right).

Bill Hendry joined Harald Lodge #13 in 1980 and has served in many roles to support the ongoing success of the lodge including Trustee and Trustee Chairman for Video Gaming, Chairman of the Annual Super Bowl Party and Golf Outing, Drill Team, co-chair of construction for a lodge addition, and Chairman of Titans for Lights. He also handles all of the lodge’s yearly testing and inspections for the Village of Tinley Park.

Bill has been involved with countless activities and projects for the lodge since he joined. Bill was the 1st recipient of Harald Lodge’s Viking of the Year in 2018. As Chairman of Titans for Lights, Bill not only helped with actual construction of the lights on the school’s football field but also ran fundraisers for the project. Bill likes to keep Vikings in the family, proudly engaging his six grandchildren as Junior Members.

Thank you, Bill, for your leadership at Harald Lodge and demonstrating the best of Viking commitment!

Faisel Abdelkader joined Linne’ Lodge #57 in 1980, and has held many positions including Inner Guard, Assistant Herald, Herald, Trustee and Trustee Chairman (current), Vice Chief (2017), and Chief (2018). He volunteers as bartender, pull-tab counter and Junior Club opener; serves on the newsletter membership and nomination committees; and is chairman of the Senior Men’s Golf League.

Faisel and his wife, Marsha, have chaired many parties for Linne’ Lodge including the 50’s Party, Jazz Steak Fry, Derby Party, New Years Eve and Midnight Buffet, Mother-Daughter Banquet and Family Picnic. He has also been active in hosting IOV Conventions held at Linne’. He is a staple of Linne’ Lodge, supporting lodge renovations, equipment upgrades, and showing up to help whenever and however he can.

Faisel and Marsha (a member since 1979) have included their children and grandchildren as active members and contributors to the lodge’s cultural and social traditions.

Thank you, Faisel, for your dedication to IOV culture and to Linne’ Lodge!