Showing Reno 'we're out there'

Department of Michigan Legionnaire Marilyn Britten has marched in what she believes is six American Legion National Convention parades – including Sunday’s in downtown Reno, Nev.

And she will continue to do so, for multiple reasons.

“It’s being part of my department,” said Britten, a PUFL member of Post 178 in Lansing and the department’s historian. “And it’s also showing people in these communities we’re out there, we have served and we’re glad to show that we are serving still.”

A total of 73 units marched up Virginia Street Sunday, doing so in front of several of the city’s residents who lined the street to cheer the parade participants.

“They were cheering,” Britten said. “They’d see the banner that has the state (name), so then they started cheering for the state. It was really neat.”

The Department of Montana led off the process of contiguous Legion departments – something that was a source of pride for Department Parade Chairman and immediate Past Department Commander Hal Rice.

“It’s wonderful – something we haven’t done for a long time,” Rice said. “We had a really good year. It was one of our best years. I called on (our department members) to put out their Montana pride. It really worked.”

The Department of Nevada hosted a parade after-party at the nearby Reno Ballroom that included food and live entertainment. Hosting an American Legion National Convention means something to Department of Nevada Sergeant.-at-Arms Richard Eberly.

“It’s 100 percent (a source of pride),” Eberly said. “Not every state gets to host a national convention. It’s an honor to be able to do so.”

Having a party after the parade, Eberly said, allows “everybody to get together from all the states, and to be able to see each other from each state and associate with each other outside of being in a meeting.”