The first day of spring was brisk, and I’m sure we are all ready for warmer weather!
With warmer weather in mind, the buildup and planning for the May 18 Armed Forces Appreciation Day event is gaining speed! So far there is a car show planned, lunch and a “wall” that will list local military veterans who served and when. I understand that each segment is to be on poster board that will be saved and displayed in the future. American Legion Post 41 historian Jerry Wildhaber is the person in charge of this.
The event will start at 10 a.m. and runs until approximately 3 p.m. There are quite a few guests and dignitaries committed to being on hand, and a contingent of the U.S. Coast Guard is expected to present an award to 94-year-old Barbara Curtis, one of the oldest living World War II Coast Guard veterans in the county. There will also be flag retirement ceremonies, live music and more.
Unfortunately, whenever something worthwhile is planned and executed, there always seems to be someone attempting to make personal profit. It has been reported to me that someone is going around the area soliciting cash contributions for the Armed Forces Day Celebration. This comment straight from Post 41 commander Bob Joens: “We have not started fund raising yet” this was about a week ago that Bob said this, so if anyone has made a cash donation to the Legion for the event, please contact me, especially if you didn’t get a receipt. At this point, already a week old, the only people collecting donations for the Legion are Joens and Glenn McKinney. If anyone is approached for a donation, please contact me, Bob or Glenn.
To remind everyone, Legion Post 41’s monthly meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Legion Hall (on U.S. 63 next to Pizza Hut), and weekly meetings are each Thursday at 9 a.m.
The FRA meets at the Legion Hall at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month. There are always drinks and snacks. The planning meeting schedule is posted at the back of the Legion building, should anyone want to attend or be involved.
Today in World War II history: In 1944 in Italy, a major reorganization of the Allied forces takes place. The New Zealand Corps is taken out of the line and broken up. Other units of the Eighth Army are brought from the east side to replace it along with the French Corps. The next Allied offensive will not be until May when this reorganization is complete.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.