On July 9-11, the American Legion Department of WV held its 97th Annual Department Convention at the Ramada Inn in Morgantown. American Legion Post members from all over the state convened for this three day annual event for the installation of the new Department Executive officers for the year 2016-2016. The outgoing Department Commander Fred Buchanan, from Huntington Post #16, served as commander for the Department with distinction and service to the American Legion. The new Department Commander for the coming year will be Kenneth Smith from Barboursville Post #177.
One of the activities many American Legion Post members enjoy participating in is being a part of one of the committee members. Committee members meet on Thursday evenings around 6 p.m. and work late into the evening hours perusing through each posts year end reports and submissions from the many Post Packet reports. These reports consist of Americanism Report forms, Special Olympics Report Forms Religious Emphasis Activity Report Forms, Education & Scholarship Report forms, and an array of 19 different committee report forms. During the Conventions activities, awards are presented to different post that have actively pursued and participated in serving veterans and the communities they are located within. This year American Legion Greenbrier Post #26 was selected and received the Americanism Award, and for the third year in a row, the Education & Scholarship award, and the Distinguished Service Award to be presented at the Mid-Winter Conference. This award will be presented to Hugh Harris of Alderson, who has been a member of the American Legion Post #26 for 69 years. Post #26’s Commander, Barbara Burdette, was also presented with a certificate of appreciation for Educational Service within the community.
Commander Burdette was also a speaker at the American Legion Rhododendron Girls State event at Wheeling Jesuit College. There she was presented with a plaque and certificate. American Legion Post #26 is extremely proud and humbled with the distinction given to Post #26 from among the 103 posts throughout the state with a much larger membership base. We offer a “high five and a handshake” to all Post #26’s volunteer members for their continued, dedicated and diligent service within and throughout the Greenbrier community.
All awards will be displayed during the Ronceverte, WV Labor Day Depot celebrations. American Legion Greenbrier Post #26 will be 95 years old on Sept. 8 this year. The community is invited to come by and see the awards, view our meeting facility, and the train display in the Clifford Armory/Community Recreational Center and have a piece of cake and help us celebrate our 95th birthday.
