By Laura Johnson
News-Star (LA)
Flags were raised Wednesday at the American Legion L.B. Faulk Post 13 in Monroe, where Legion members and their families squeezed into a meeting room in anticipation of the arrival of the American Legion's national commander.
National Commander Marty F. Conatser of Illinois told the crowd what the Legion does for veterans - then the legion presented seven checks totaling more than $16,000 to select veterans and one widow.Conatser emphasized the growth of the American Legion and the work done in the community for veterans that he said makes that growth vital.
"Do you realize that the American Legion is the only growing major veterans organization in America today?" he asked the audience, which was seated in folding chairs and pressed between the large French doors that lined either side of the building.
The American Legion grew even more at Wednesday's meeting, as local members presented the national commander with $1,220 in new membership fees from northeastern Louisiana.
But the Legion handed out money as well as received it.
Curtis Braddock, Tommy Shoemaker and Otis McGinnis - all three are local soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan - were presented checks for $500 each.
In addition, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was on hand to give three award certificates from the city to the same men.
An anonymous donor contributed $15,000 for Monroe servicemen wounded in the current combat in the Middle East and asked the local Legion post to select the veterans to be awarded. Tommy Shoemaker, Scott Worley, Randall Rugg and Jason Holloway each received checks of $2,500 for their service. The widow of Marine Cpl. Chad Powell, Danielle, received $5,000.
Seven-year-old Baylee Regan sang the National Anthem to start the service.
The Legion presented Alex Lau, 11, and Zachary Johnson, 12, from Boy Scout Troop 1 with a 15-by-25 foot flag that they requested to fly.
Rating:
0
/5 (
0 votes cast)
News-Star (LA)
Flags were raised Wednesday at the American Legion L.B. Faulk Post 13 in Monroe, where Legion members and their families squeezed into a meeting room in anticipation of the arrival of the American Legion's national commander.
National Commander Marty F. Conatser of Illinois told the crowd what the Legion does for veterans - then the legion presented seven checks totaling more than $16,000 to select veterans and one widow.Conatser emphasized the growth of the American Legion and the work done in the community for veterans that he said makes that growth vital.
"Do you realize that the American Legion is the only growing major veterans organization in America today?" he asked the audience, which was seated in folding chairs and pressed between the large French doors that lined either side of the building.
The American Legion grew even more at Wednesday's meeting, as local members presented the national commander with $1,220 in new membership fees from northeastern Louisiana.
But the Legion handed out money as well as received it.
Curtis Braddock, Tommy Shoemaker and Otis McGinnis - all three are local soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan - were presented checks for $500 each.
In addition, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was on hand to give three award certificates from the city to the same men.
An anonymous donor contributed $15,000 for Monroe servicemen wounded in the current combat in the Middle East and asked the local Legion post to select the veterans to be awarded. Tommy Shoemaker, Scott Worley, Randall Rugg and Jason Holloway each received checks of $2,500 for their service. The widow of Marine Cpl. Chad Powell, Danielle, received $5,000.
Seven-year-old Baylee Regan sang the National Anthem to start the service.
The Legion presented Alex Lau, 11, and Zachary Johnson, 12, from Boy Scout Troop 1 with a 15-by-25 foot flag that they requested to fly.
