Marching for recognition
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Friday night during The American Legion's national convention is traditionally a time for catching up with old friends, hitting the host town - and for color guard units from across the country, showing off their precision routines in the convention center in front of an audience of cheering sections.
This year's National Color Guard Contests, held in Cincinnati on Aug. 26 during the 98th National Convention, featured eight units from seven American Legion departments. Posts, a department and a Sons of The American Legion district were represented.
The biggest applause was reserved for first-time competitors the Shooting Stars Color Guard of Post 14 in Flora, Ill.: a troupe of young girls posting colors and making their rifles soar to music based on the Battle of Britain. The girls are junior Auxiliary members and many have relatives in Post 14. Barbara Brandt, who was approached to coach the group while with another group at a competition, said, "I'm very selective about the music. It takes me forever." The girls have progressed to rifles from batons and flags, and have performed for the National Guard and Veterans Week in Branson, Mo., among others.
"It was cool, but scary," commented Stacy. Makenzie added, "It was nerve-wracking, but totally awesome."
The four classes, and the orders of finish, are:
Advancing/Retiring of Colors:
Newport Harbor Post 291, Newport Beach, Calif. - 89.8
Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard Post 185, China Grove, N.C. - 89.0
Detachment of California District 12 SAL - 88.4
Scarlet Guard Color Guard American Legion Post 38, Appleton, Wis. - 85.9
Harrisburg Post 472 Color Guard, Houston - 84.5
George Whiteman Memorial Post 642, Sedalia, Mo. - 82.3
Department of Virginia Unit 4, Stafford, Va. - 80.3
Open Class:
Shooting Stars Color Guard American Legion Post 14, Flora, Ill. - 88.35
Military Class:
Post 642 - 82.50
Military Class-Open:
Post 472 - 90.75
Post 291 - 90.35
Post 38 - 85.45
The units will march in the National Convention Parade on Sunday.