American Legion Post 36 annual recognition dinner was a great success! The dinner started with a few formalities, including remembering our POW/MIAs in the “Table for One” ceremony. We also remembered our departed comrades over the past three years in a “Post Everlasting” ceremony. The chicken marsala and the beef burgundy were excellent entries, thanks to Chief Amy Ronan.

The program focused on those who made significant contributions in their participation in Post activities during 2017. Helping with recognizing these individuals was John Hargreaves, American Legion National Executive Committee member, who gave a brief summary of the purposes of the American Legion. Debra Couture, the Maine Department Americanism Officer, provided a summary all the American Legion programs but specifically focused on three, Boys State, Girls State and Oratorical. Debra assisted our Post Historian Fran Nicoletta and Post Americanism Officer Jeff Keyes in recognizing our 2017 participants of the Girl State program: Lillian Sherburne, Jackie McLoon, Summer Chamberlin, Page Brown and ReAnna Heino. Each of the girls provided us with what the program meant to them and what they learned from the experience. These girls were great representatives of our BRHS! The boys who attended the 2017 Boys State were Cameron Crocker, Nicholas Simpson, Connor Demmons, and Kyle Ames. They were not able to join us due to a basketball game and an unexpected family conflict; but they, too, were outstanding representatives of our high school. Also honored was the winner of the Post’s Oratorical contest, Ciara Pitcher. Contestants have to give an eight- to 10-minute speech on the Constitution, without notes, followed by a 3-5 minute speech on a topic of the Constitution where they are given only five minutes to prepare. Ciara was awarded $200 for winning the Post contest. She went on to represent BRHS at the state level held at Thomas College.

Post 36 has been extremely lucky to have non-legion members support our efforts. They were also honored. Always present in the kitchen preparing our bi-monthly breakfasts are Stephanie Hawke and Sara Fahnley. Out in the hall, part of the clean up crew, are Alan McLaughlin and Hal Pierce. They were presented with “Friend of the Legion” polo shirts. The entire kitchen crew Linc Sample, Arthur Richardson, Dick Roy, Sharon Ames, Sara Fahnley, and Miles Barter were presented with aprons with their names embroidered. The Post could not function, could not serve our veterans and community, if it weren’t for these unselfish volunteers who regularly donate their time and efforts!

The guest speaker for the evening was the Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer. Dan provided us with an overview of the responsibilities of the town manager and then took questions from the floor. He handled all topics expertly, some controversial, leaving us knowing the town is in good hands. And, Dan is one of us, a 20-year member of Maine’s National Guard. As a token of our appreciation for being our guest speaker, he was presented with an application to join the American Legion.

It was a fun evening, enjoyed by all. Thank you to all that made it happen!