American Legion Welcomes New Members
The American Legion, Post 110 is active in Monticello and Jasper County, and welcomes new members.
Any veteran who served during the following dates is eligible to be a member. Those dates are from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946; August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984, December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990, and August 2, 1990 to present.
The leadership of the local group says, “We are here to help you with your claims and benefits.”
The local Legion has a Color Guard that will stand at any veteran’s funeral, no matter when he or she served. They will also raise the American flag at any non-political function to promote Americanism. The American Legion has begun a Legion Riders group that works with the community. “We not only welcome the veteran, but the entire family with programs available for everyone.
The group has worked with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Jasper County High School Flag Corps, the Jasper County Community Food Bank, hosted a community haunted house, and they feed families at Thanksgiving and Christmas
.
The Legion also participates in the Wreaths Across America, where they purchase and place wreaths on the graves of deceased veterans at the Milledgeville Veterans Cemetery. They also have a program where they place crosses with the names of deceased veterans out at the Legion hall three times a year. The American Legion places flags on veterans graves in three cemeteries in the Monticello area once a year.
Another thing begun recently is an honor wall, where the photos of past veterans are displayed.
For the last three years the American Legion has organized a Veterans’ Appreciation Day parade and so far honored World War II veterans, female veterans, and this year Korean veterans.
They have also installed a mail box at the rear of the American legion building for any unserviceable flag that needs to be properly retired, and they hold a flag retirement ceremony at the veterans’ appreciation day each year.
The Legion works closely with the Chamber of Commerce, law enforcement, recreation department, and other community partners to help make Jasper County a better place toe live and work.
“The American Legion is the most powerful advocate for you, the veteran, in the state of Georgia and in Washington D.C. We can only continue to be a voice for veterans with a strong membership,” said the announcement from the Legion.
“Please come visit us any Wednesday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m., bring a lunch and visit. Or come to a meeting which is every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. (except July), have dinner with us at the American legion at 438 East Greene St. just beyond the Monticello Square. We welcome you because you are our brothers and sisters forever. We have all been to the same place and we understand and ant to help, if it is needed,” the announcement said.
Newly elected officers include Billy Johnson, Commander; Jeff Howe, senior vice; James Jordan, Dan Cleveland, and Bob Ericson, junior vices; Sidney Jackson, historian; Otis Clark, service officer; Walter Smith, chaplain; Bill Zaluska, sergeant at arms; Skip Davis, adjutant, and Dan Roberts, Judge Advocate.
For more information on membership in the American Legion, call Bill Zaluska, 706-476-2266, or in the Legion Riders call Bill Johnson, 678-544-5408 or Jeff Howe 770-296-4356.
