The American Legion Ball-Smith Post 23 is a local organization consisting of veterans volunteering to improve the lives of other veterans, their families and honor those who have died, according to Sheryl Kochert.
The Post is involved in many community activities at no cost to the public or city/town.
The 4 flags at Greenhill cemetery and the large one on Main Street are maintained and replaced as needed by Post 23, which includes the flag retainer wires.
The Memorials at Erin Springs, Purdy and Greenhill cemeteries are updated annually by adding the names of those who have died since the last update.
If funeral honors are not done by Post 23, the list of names to be updated may be incomplete. The Post relies on family members to contact them with those names.
“It is never the intention to neglect the addition of any veteran’s name to the Memorial,” Ms. Kochert explained.
Communication with the Post is imperative with the veteran’s name to avoid a delay when scheduling the update that is customarily done each spring.
The expense alone for adding names to the Memorials and replacing flags may exceed the income for the Post. Fundraisers are promoted for this purpose. Bingo is one such endeavor to ensure adequate funds are available.
The flag program is another fundraiser. Businesses participate annually to have flags placed at their site on selected holidays. Flags are also placed on Main Street for parades or special events. They are put up by daylight and taken down before dusk, except in inclement weather.
“Please consider supporting the Post in honoring our veterans, past and present,” Ms. Kochert added.
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