Legionnaire Jake Williams honored with social distancing parade by fellow Post 246 Legion Family members on his 90th birthday.
Social distancing rules were going to keep Legionnaire Jake Williams from celebrating his 90th birthday in a traditional manner. But there was no way the American Legion Family members of C. Henry Price II Post 246 in Betterton, Md., were going to let the event pass without some form of celebration.
On April 12, members of the post’s Legion Family joined others in the community in a procession that traveled in front of Williams’ home. With the U.S. Marine Corps veteran standing along the sidewalk, passersby honked at, waved to and saluted Williams to honor both his birthday and longtime service to the community and The American Legion.
“Jake has been heavily involved with public service all his life,” said Sons of The American Legion Squadron 246 Adjutant Jason Miller, who helped organize the procession. “He was a career Marine. He worked for the United States Postal Service, and he’s been involved with the Betterton American Legion for a pretty good amount of time.
“He takes care of the membership for the Legion side. And I think he’s held probably every position at some point within (the post).”
Miller said word of the planned birthday celebration spread through word of mouth and social media. In addition to members of Post 246’s Legion Family and the community, the parade also included the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the Betterton Volunteer Fire Department, the Volunteer Fire Company of Millington and the Easter Bunny.
“It was a group effort,” he said. “The (unit) president of the Auxiliary was involved. The post was involved. We got involved. (Williams) is very well known in the community. It turned out very good.”
Seeing the parade was “absolutely” a surprise, Williams said. “I was really, really humbled. Amazed. It was really an unforgettable experience. I can't believe the entire American Legion Family and the community came out to do this for me. ”
Williams spent 30 years in the U.S. Marines, including in the Korean and Vietnam wars, before retiring in 1976 after achieving the rank of master gunnery sergeant and then later captain.
He also spent 25 years with the USPS and is approaching his 67th year in The American Legion. He’s served virtually every position at Post 246, but what stands out to him is being able to assist people. He's most proud of that when a Legionnaire the post had previously assisted passed away and no family came forward, Williams was able to arrange a funeral with full military honors.
“I just enjoy, I guess, the tenets of The American Legion: God and country, the American flag, patriotism, Americanism, children and youth, the welfare of our veterans,” Williams said. “That’s what’s kept me in it.”
Miller was part of a group that led a revitalization of Squadron 246 last December. But before that, Miller said Williams was instrumental in keeping the squadron going. “He kept up with the membership,” Miller said. “He kept up with any paperwork that needed to be done. He kind of kept the SAL running when no one was really helping him.
“It was extremely emotional and heart-warming for me, and I think I can say the same thing for everyone else: to see someone that has given their life to our country and community, to do something like (the parade) for them. He doesn’t do things for the credit or a pat on the shoulder or anything like that.”
Hearing how others in the post’s American Legion Family view his work and service is surprising to Williams. “I never knew I was making an impact doing what I normally do,” he said. "I've just tried to help people whenever I can.
Click here to watch a video of the parade for Williams.
- Honor & Remembrance