By Betsy Turner
American Legion Post 31 past Commander Bruce Grimes, a US Navy Veteran, put it aptly when he stated, “It’s a great day to be a Veteran!” during his comments when the Shinnston Lions Club partnered with American Legion Post 31 and the American Legion Family (Auxiliary, Sons and Riders) to host its annual post Veterans Day Parade Luncheon at American Legion Post 31, Shinnston, on November 11, 2022. The same applied to November 11, 2024.
In addition to the Lincoln High School Marching Band and Lincoln JROTC members, there was a large turnout of Veteran participants in the Shinnston Veterans Day Parade. Besides the three Veteran Parade Marshals, the Legion Riders and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 31 Junior members and their mentors were also in the parade.
Following opening remarks by Mary Ann Ferris, MC for the luncheon, the invocation was delivered by Post 31 Chaplain, Matthew Keith. Ms. Ferris introduced guest speakers and parade marshals, John Kendall, Jeff Cain and Porter Southern along with Commander Post 31, Darrin Hardman; and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 31 President, Andrea Skelley.
The lunch, prepared by American Legion Auxiliary 31 (Marsha Duckworth, Andrea Skelley, Dortha Parsons, Julia Pierce, Margaret Yost, Sharon Duckworth and Betsy Turner) was served to a record crowd of approximately 120 people. The menu included hot dogs with all the “fixins”, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, three kinds of salad and a variety of desserts that were provided by the Lions Club. The tables, decorated by the Lions Club were patriotic themed with vases of variegated red, white and blue carnations and Poppies. The Lions Club presented guests with commemorative thermal cups with the imprint, “Shinnston Lions Club Parade 2024”. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 31 presented all veterans attending with a card.
As the afternoon progressed, American Legion Post 31 and the American Legion Family (Auxiliary, Sons and Riders) served a buffet meal to all members, their family and guests of Post 31. The buffet included hot dogs with all the “fixins”, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, a variety of salads and desserts.
All in all it was a busy day celebrating our veterans by the Shinnston Lions Club and American Legion Post 31 and the American Legion Family.
Pictured is a small portion of the group attending the post parade luncheon.