Texas American Legion post continuing 100-plus year Veterans Day tradition
On Nov. 11, 1918, word reached the small Texas city of Hamilton that the Armistice had brought an end to World War I. To help spread the news and celebrate, a local blacksmith placed black powder between two anvils and then used a fuse to light the powder, creating several loud explosions heard by local residents.
After the founding of American Legion Cunningham Post 222 in Hamilton, the blacksmith donated the anvils to the post. And starting in 1919 – and continuing for the next 100-plus years – the post has continued the tradition of “shooting the anvils” at 5 a.m. local time.
The 103rd Anvil Shoot will take place again this Veterans Day. The public is annually invited to attend and participate; Post 222 First Vice Commander Bob Self said anyone who wants to light the powder can do so until the powder supply is exhausted.
After everyone has had their chance to light the powder or the powder is gone, the post provides a free breakfast of pancakes, sausage, biscuits and coffee.
It’s just one of the ways that American Legion Family members will commemorate Veterans Day, which honors all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, living or dead.
The following are just a few of the Veterans Day events and activities that American Legion Family members are sponsoring, organizing or taking part in over the next week. Please remember to share your Veterans Day events with photos and stories at www.Legiontown.org.
California
· In Petaluma, the American Legion Family Petaluma Veterans Day Parade will take place Nov. 11 in downtown Petaluma. Post 28 will provide hot dogs and chili following the parade.
· The Bakersfield Veterans Day parade returns this year, and members of American Legion Riders Chapter 26 will be leading the parade. Chapter 26 Director Wendell Wammack will be driving a golf cart decked out in a military design during the parade.
Colorado
In Longmont, American Legion Post 32 is hosting a veterans breakfast and conducting a flag-raising ceremony before taking part in a veterans the classroom event at Longs Peak Middle School and Veterans Day parade. The post also will host a free dinner with a guest speaker later that night.
Connecticut
After having to pre-tape the ceremony in 2020, American Legion Post 2 is hosting the Bristol Veterans Council’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. The ceremony will include a bell ringing to honor past, current and future veterans; guest speakers; a POW-MIA table and a special video presentation. Post 2’s honor guard will close the ceremony with a rifle volley.
Delaware
In Seaford, Nanticoke Post 6 members will participate in a Veterans Day event at Kiwanis Park that includes World War II vehicles, a safe fun demonstration, free flu shots and free COVID-19 vaccinations to all veterans and their spouses, veterans assistance personnel, and free hot dogs, chips and corn hole game
Illinois
In Galva, Hagberg-Hamlin Post 45 is conducting its annual Veterans Day program at Galva Veterans Park. Various speakers and vocalists will take part in the ceremony, which will be followed by a free chili meal at the post.
Indiana
In Mooresville, American Legion Post 103 and VFW Post 1111 will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at the Mooresville Veterans Memorial located at Newby Elementary School. The post will host a lunch following the ceremony, and then its honor guard will visit local nursing homes.
Maryland
· In Salisbury, American Legion Wicomico Post 64 is serving as a site for TidalHealth to provide free flu shots and free COVID-19 vaccinations to veterans and their spouses on Veterans Day.
· In Hancock, Post 64 is providing a lunch to veterans.
Michigan
· In Howell, American Legion Post 141 will take part in a Veterans Day appreciation event at Howell High School, where veterans from various war eras will take part in a panel discussion hosted by the school’s Air Force JROTC program. Members of the post will then head to downtown Howell to set up for and participate in the annual Veterans Day ceremony. Post Adjutant Roger Deaton will officiate the ceremony, which will be followed by a free catered lunch at Post 141.
· In Grayling, American Legion Post 106 is hosting a Veterans Day luncheon and dinner for veterans and their guests.
New Mexico
· In downtown Roswell, American Legion Posts 28 and 61 are conducting their annual Veterans Day ceremony and parade. The day will start with a morning ceremony on the lawn of the Chaves County Courthouse, with a troop of Boy Scouts leading the crowd in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a wreath-laying. Patriotic music and a guest speaker will follow. The parade will start at the courthouse and will highlight the Vietnam War. “We just want to make it a lifetime priority to make sure these folks are welcomed,” Post 61 Commander Stephen Lee told the Roswell Daily Record. “The importance of these things is to keep in the public consciousness the contribution of the soldier.”
· In Logan, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 77 is hosting a dinner and program for area veterans and their families on Nov. 13. American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard will attend the event.
North Carolina
· Members of American Legion Post 539 in New Bern are using Veterans Day to raise awareness about veteran suicides. The post is staging a march for the event that will include both a 22-mile hike and 22K hike.
· In Waxhaw, American Legion Post 208 is hosting an open house so members can display their memorabilia from their military service. The post also will have a flag retirement ceremony later in the afternoon
Oklahoma
Tulsa Post 1 is hosting a luncheon after the city’s annual Veterans Day parade.
South Carolina
In Mauldin, Camp Sevier 30th Infantry Div. American Legion Post 271 will take part in the City of Mauldin Veterans Day ceremony. Post 271 Commander Cly Rector will provide a prayer, while local JROTC cadets will post and retire the colors.
Post 271 Second Vice Commander Stephen Goshorn will sing the songs from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, while Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Legionnaire, will speak during the ceremony.
Texas
In Mansfield, Post 624 is sponsoring and coordinating the Mansfield Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 6. A patriotic salute ceremony will follow the parade.
Utah
American Legion Post 3 in Price will conduct a Veterans Day walk and ceremony at the Price City Peace Garden. All veterans in the area are invited to take part in the walk, which will be followed by a ceremony that will include the national anthem and a recognition of Blue Star Families.
Washington
In Ephrata, Art Semro Post 28’s American Legion Family is taking part in the Ephrata Veterans Day Parade. The post’s honor guard will provide a rifle salute to start off the parade. The post is serving a lunch following the parade.
Wisconsin
Members of Jacob Coppus Post 258 in Little Chute will start the day by placing street flags throughout the village, and continue with members of the post and Auxiliary Unit 258 joining with members of Kimberly Post 60’s American Legion Family to march to Memorial Mass at St. John Church.
Members of the post will provide a flag etiquette program to the St. John seventh-grade class, and a veterans memorial ceremony will follow at Windmill Plaza. Following the ceremony, the post will have a fundraising raffle drawing and lunch at Village Hall.