Jerry Brearton submitted this article.
In 2009 both Houses of Congress passed a resolution designating September 16 as “American Legion Day.” This year is the 100th Anniversary of the The American Legion, which was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1919, under Title 36.
Most recently the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service) was signed by the Commander-In-Chief. It opened American Legion membership eligibility to all honorably served veterans (since December 7, 1941,) or still serving members of the Armed Forces.
The American Legion is charged to
- uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States
- promote peace and good will among the peoples of the United States and all the Nations of the Earth
- preserve the memories and incidents of the two World Wars and the other great hostilities fought to uphold democracy
- cement the ties and comradeship born of service
- consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual helpfulness and service to their Country.
In Carroll and Whiteside Counties there are Posts in Albany, Erie, Fulton, Lanark, Milledgeville, Morrison, Mt. Carroll, Prophetstown, Rock Falls, Savanna, Shannon, Sterling, Tampico, and Thomson, IL. Each Post has its own Commander and its own level of activities within the community.
Morrison’s Post 328 is very active in the community. This includes placing over 1000 flags on veterans graves prior to Memorial Day; distributing Flanders Fields Poppies; supplying the Color Guard, Wreath presentation, and Rifle Volleys on Memorial Day. We supply a Color Guard for Fenton United Methodist Church on Memorial Weekend Sunday service; St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church for Independence Day; for the annual Christmas Parade. Members sell advertising and distribute the Harness Racing booklets at the Whiteside County Fair. We offer a Flag Burning Ceremony of U. S. Flags that have earned a retirement, due to years of service to the Country. Legion members annually participate in the Veterans Day observation, at Morrison Veterans Park and Memorial in Grove Hill Cemetery. Funeral Honor Services are held for over a dozen veterans throughout the year. We distribute “Gifts to the Yanks” who have served to veterans in the three nursing homes in town. In addition, Morrison’s Post sponsors Illinois Boys/Girls Premier State for eligible students from the area; awards a $500 scholarship to a graduating MHS Senior based on a judged essay; provides $25 to a boy and girl graduating from Jr. High based on a vote from their peers.
Other programs we promote but do not seem to get much traction locally are Essay, Oratorical Scholarship, and Poppy Poster contests. For the 2019/20 school year, Morrison Post 328 will seek contestants from high schools throughout the Whiteside County, due to lack of interest from Morrison Community School District #6.
Inquiries and comments should be directed to 328@morrisonamericanlegion.org.
Released by J. W. Brearton, Finance Officer and Sergeant-At-Arms of The American Legion Post 328 in Morrison.