By: Ryan Duey
Photos Courtesy of Legion Post 101
The Alonzo F. Dexter American Legion Post 101 will once again honor those who served through Memorial Day weekend in Clay Center. The Legion is a community-based organization that serves veterans, their families, and the community that supports them.
On Wednesday, May 21st, the Legion will host a potato bar benefit scramble at the United Methodist Church Family Life Center in support of the Honor Flight Network, volunteers are needed. The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization that raises funds to help send veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War era to our nation’s capital free of charge. This powerful network has flown over 300,000 veterans to Washington DC since its inception.
On May 23rd and 24th, members of the Legion will be handing out Poppies and accepting donations at Ray’s IGA in Clay Center. Gaining meaning after World War I, each Poppy is a symbol of remembrance to the veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.
Also on May 24th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Legion members and volunteers will meet at Greenwood Cemetery to place American flags on headstones of all veterans laying to rest in the cemetery, volunteers are encouraged to meet at the cemetery that morning.
The Memorial Day weekend will culminate on Monday, May 26th, with the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, with flags being raised at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will feature a guest speaker and music by the city band. Flags will then be lowered at 4:00 p.m.
For more information on the Legion or to volunteer for any of the above activities, call the Legion at (785) 263-2329 and leave a voicemail. Legion members meet at the Armory on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
