American Legion Battlefields Post 144

Dan Ossa, 1^st Vice Commander

Well here we are, another month, and still our numbers are down. Why?

Is it that the members find nothing to draw them to our Post anymore?

Note the Day Room article recently submitted by Travis Colgin. We are trying new things to get members involved. If you have a suggestion, please let your officers know. Nothing is too weird or off-beat to listen to. Who knows? It may be the exact thing we are searching for.

Joe Woodham, Adjutant

Memorial Service for Earl Elkins, 2^nd Vice Commander

A memorial service was held for Second Vice Commander William Earl Elkins at the Post on February 6, 2010. Although a major snow storm was raging, over 60 family, friends, and Post 144 Legion members attended. The service began with a reading by Post Commander Patrick Venable and Post Historian Russell Beggs from The American Legion Officer's Guide and Manual of Ceremonies.

• Historian Russell Beggs read a poem he wrote about saying “good by.”
• Members of the United States Army rendered “Taps” and folded the American Flag for presentation to Earl’s widow, Judy Elkins.
• Post Service Officer Bill Harless presented Judy Elkins with a special memorial BIble donated by the Legion Riders.
• Lunch was served. Everyone enjoyed green bean soup prepared by Don Forshey as well as spaghetti and meat balls and desert.
• A video slide presentation of Earls’ life was shown by family members.

Many guests stayed for several hours after the service, talking to one another as they enjoyed the food.