We are now rapidly approaching the big American Legion Celebration day on Sept. 14. This is our annual major fundraiser that will support our Legion programs including emergency funding for veterans, Boys State and Girls State, and our new scholarship program for our region’s high school kids. The funding will also help us to maintain the building appropriately to be available for community events. The Craft Fair and the Yard Sale start at the Legion Hall at 8 a.m. The Yard Sale will be on the grass on the Route 27 side of the hall. For those that don’t know, the Legion has additional parking on the grass just up the hill from the Legion before the storage units. The entire grass area is available for parking. We still have more room for those who have waited until the last minute to reserve a space. The spaces are large, 20 feet front and 10 feet deep. All will be accessible by car to set up, but will have to be removed before 8 a.m. Call the Legion (633-4487) to reserve a space or two. There will be morning coffee and pastries available and hot dogs/hamburgers during the event. For all Legionnaires and friends of the Legion who would like to help with this event, we could use help setting up on Friday starting at 10 a.m. And then, again on Saturday starting at 6:30. We are setting up shifts so the day, Saturday, isn’t too long. First shift is 6:30 to noon; second shift from noon to 5 p.m.; and last shift from 5 to 8 p.m. Would be great to have a good showing of our membership!

As part of the Legion Celebration, the barbecue catered by Mine Oyster’s Ralph Smith, will start at 5 p.m. with last call at 7 p.m. Ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, bake beans and more will be the offerings and all for a suggested donation of just $10 for adults and $5 for kids. The money raised by the barbecue will be specifically for the new high school student scholarship program.

Starting immediately, all veterans can join the American Legion! We would love to have all veterans who haven’t been eligible in the past to join us! Why has this just now happened? Membership to many of the various veteran organizations are established by Congress. For the American Legion, only veterans who served during a period of conflict are eligible. Congress has decided that our country has been in conflicts where American military paid the ultimate sacrifice since World War II, so all veterans today are eligible to the Legion. Our Post has been growing over the past few years and it would be great to continue that growth as a result of this recognition of the service of all veterans.

The next breakfast will be Sunday, Sept. 8! A couple of new “healthy” items are being added. Spread the word, bring the family, bring your neighbors, make it a community event.