Finance Officer and Sergeant-at-Arms Jerry Brearton submitted this article.
The American Legion was begun immediately after WW I, in 1918. The 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 9, 2020, meeting began at American Legion Post 328, 306 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, with a small 101st Birthday party, complete with cake, ice cream, and pizza.
Photos were taken of all members present. Shown below, left-to-right ,are Legionnaires with their years of service.
Chaplain Bob Brands, 39; Ron Wiersema, 16; Adjutant Ken Petersen, 13 (Life Member); Phil Schroeder, 34; Garry Seaman,11; Bill Brackemyer; 1; Commander Terry Jones; 37; Service Officer Andrew Schroeder, 12; Larry Saling, 3; Barry Linder, 13; Junior Vice Commander Larry Zuidema, 4; Mark Steele, 1; Senior Vice Commander Dennis VanZuiden, 12 (Life Member); Fred Steele, 75 (Life Member); Dale Usterbowski, 15; Ken Gooley, 7; Jack Brearton, 9; Finance Officer/Sergeant-at-Arms Jerry Brearton, 10.
Pictured in uniform along the back wall is Cadet Airman 1st Class Lucca Sweetser; Airman Emma Everley; Lieutenant Rick Smith, Commander of Whiteside Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron 334. Smith and the Cadets discussed the purpose of the CAP and significance of the 13 folds in the American Flag.
The most senior (by longevity) Legionnaire, Fred Steele, is pictured holding the cake with his son Mark, who is the most junior Legionnaire of the Post. Other photos were taken of the oldest and youngest members.
Officers were nominated for the 2020-2021 Membership Year and will be elected in April.