'We have a lot to give'

Delta Airlines’ computer crash kept American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett from reaching Shelby, N.C., in time for his Awareness Walk for Veterans. But it didn’t keep 94 other Legion family members and supporters from carrying out Barnett’s mission.

The walks, started by Barnett to raise awareness about both the Legion and issues facing U.S. veterans, have taken place during the national commander’s visits to American Legion departments. Without Barnett in Shelby, Past National Commander Dan Ludwig, American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser and local Legionnaires stepped up to lead the Aug. 10 effort.

“It’s our way of showing the communities what we do and what we support,” said Ludwig, who was joined by Past National Commanders Dan Dellinger, Marty Conatser and Jake Comer at the walk. All are in Shelby for The American Legion World Series, which gets underway Thursday.

Joining them was Sharon Conatser, who participated in her fifth walk of the year. “The awareness that National Commander Dale is trying to bring out is not only for The American Legion, but for The American Legion family,” she said. “It’s important that the military and veterans in the community, as well as (government) officials in the community, know who we are because we have a lot to give.”

Sharon said that the large turnout “means that the word is getting out. The people that were along the route today, they were coming out of their buildings and they were noticing us. And that’s what we have to do. We have to be the (public relations) for ourselves.”

Starting out at the Earl Scruggs Center in Uptown Shelby, the walk traveled six blocks along South Washington Street. Joining the Legion family members was Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony.

“I love The American Legion … and I certainly want to support our veterans and all the good work The American Legion does,” Anthony said. “It was a good opportunity to get out and meet these fine people.”

Woody Weaver, a member of Post 82 in Shelby, served as the local coordinator for the walk. “We wanted to walk with the people to introduce our veterans to the people of Shelby,” he said. “We are walking for the people that marched for us.”

Tearing up, Weaver said the turnout for the walk was “a bit overwhelming. I had a feeling it would be maybe 50, 60 (participants). It goes to show how engaged people are for veterans.”