The annual Auxiliary poppy sales will begin in May. Poppies will be placed at the Moose Lodge in New Haven and the 330 B-B-Que (the former Legion building). Some of our members will be accepting donations for poppies at the Memorial Day service at Schnelker Park. All donations received are used to help support our veterans.
Dedication of the Fort Wayne Vietnam Memorial Wall
At 11:00 AM on May 29th, the Fort Wayne Veterans Shrine at 2221 O’Day Road will be hosting dedication ceremonies for the Fort Wayne Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Approximately 2,600 Veterans and Families are expected to attend. Due to limited parking, the only parking at the Veterans Shrine that day will be for Disabled Veterans.
Others who are planning to attend are asked to plan ahead and park in the large parking lot across from Sweetwater Sound at the old North American Van Lines building. There will be bus shuttles running for transport starting at 8:30 AM.
We have already had a sneak preview of the Memorial. It is a 3/4 size replica of the famous Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The Veterans Shrine is honored to have been selected for the placement of the Wall; it is a beautiful addition to the Shrine.
If you have not been to the Veterans Shrine at 2221 O’Day Road, you need to put it on your bucket list.
At the March meeting, James Henry was recognized for 75-years of continuous membership in the American Legion.
Jim joined the Navy in 1946 on his 17th birthday. He completed his first enlistment on his 21st birthday, serving his entire enlistment as a minor. (Someone enlisted under these conditions was called a “Kiddie Cruiser”.)
When asked how he first joined the American Legion, Henry relates; “I was home on my Boot Camp leave and one of my buddies who had completed his time in the service invited me over to the Legion for a couple of beers. I joined the Legion then and I’ve been a member ever since.”
Congratulations Jim, and Thank You for your faithful membership.
The mission of the Auxiliary is to support local veterans. Typically, we provide gifts for them on Veterans’ Day and Christmas. We are able to do this, in part, from poppy sales. Poppies will be sold at the annual Memorial Day service at Schnelker Park. It is a very moving service.
Our election of officers is in May. Our President, Peg Diedrich, is stepping down after 5 years in this position. We thank her very much for all she has done. Peg has been an excellent leader and role model for the Auxiliary members. So, with that, the majority of officers’ positions need to be filled.
Our meetings are on the third Wednesday of every other month at Post 47. Our next meeting is May 19. We hope to see many of you there.
As with all of us, this has been a difficult year. We need to work together to find a new home for Post 330. One way to do this is to attend meetings. Members of all families are welcome to attend the Legion meetings, which are on the second Tuesday at the Moose Lodge in New Haven.
Come and find out the latest updates.
Stay well and stay safe.