Veterans still serve through American Legion

Friday, May 15, 2009

Members of the four Calvert County American Legion posts and their auxiliaries actively volunteer and donate to schools, civic organizations and sports leagues as well as support American troops.

Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, which was created in 1949 by then-President Harry S. Truman to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of the country. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department: the U.S. Department of Defense, according to its Web site.

An American Legion saying is "Veterans still serving their country," said Pat McCoy, commander of the Stallings-Williams American Legion Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach. By their volunteer work, they continue to serve their country, she said.

McCoy, a member for 22 years and a commander four times, said she considers the legion members as family that "pulls together when they need to."

Post members have pulled together to help feed those who stay at Project ECHO, donate to the Babe Ruth little league, the American Legion baseball program and local Kiwanis, scouting programs and county high schools, said McCoy, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era. And of course, they support veterans and their families including donations and volunteer hours at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, she said.

On Saturday, May 23, around 2 p.m., the post will be hosting between 300 to 400 members of the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club for lunch and a memorial tribute. The motorcycle club, whose members are veterans and law enforcement officers, will be riding from chapters all over the country and Canada, McCoy said. Their mission is "to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty" and to assist them in their time of need, a press release stated.

A Post 206 member for four years, Andy Charland said he is learning what goes into being a veteran.

Charland, who served from 1992 to 1998, said he learned about being separated from his family when he served one year in Korea with the Air Force.

"You just don't understand until it happens. I missed an entire year of my daughter's life," he said. People should reach out and offer a hand to military families who have a family member stationed overseas, he said. That's one thing veterans and community members can do to help those who serve, he added.

Arick L. Lore American Legion Post 274 member Dan Dull said the Lusby post, through its ladies auxiliary, is collecting items to box up for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It's the third time the post will be sending care packages with personal items, snacks and entertainment items to the troops. It's a family atmosphere as they donate and collect items and get them ready to be sent out around June 15.

"We all do this together, to me that's what's important," Dull said.

The post also volunteers locally by donating the hall for fundraisers for schools and civic organizations. They are especially focused on the schools and scouting programs, he said. The Cub Scout fees have gone "sky high," he said, and "we'll help them pay national dues." They also have donated $100 to several Eagle Scout projects, he added.

"We're a big support of Patuxent [High School]," Dull said. The post donates funds and gives the students a place for sports teams and the cheerleaders to raise money, he said.

It donated the hall to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office for its banquet, to SMILE Ecumenical Ministries at Christmas time and put together 40 to 50 Christmas basket meals for donation last year, Dull said.

"We try to help out."

For those wishing to help Post 274 with filling the boxes that will be sent to the troops, one may stop by the post for a list of suggested items, or send checks payable to Ladies Auxiliary Unit 274; memo "For Our Troops." Checks may be given to the bartender on duty at the post or mailed to American Legion Post 274, 11820 H.G. Trueman Road, Lusby, MD 20657.

charvat@somdnews.com