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Post 29 celebrates 100 years

ELKINS — H.W. Daniels Post 29 of the American Legion in Elkins celebrated its 100th birthday with a special dinner Saturday.

Post 29 was one of the 5,400 posts founded at the start of the American Legion in 1919.

Guest speaker Department Commander Barbara Burdette of the American Legion, Department of West Virginia, was called to the stage. Burdette was a marine during the Vietnam era and is the second woman to ever hold the position of department commander.

Burdette began her speech by saying that joining the military was the most “exciting” career a woman could have in her day.

“I wanted to do something that would be an adventure for me and it truly was. I enjoyed every minute of when I was in the Marine Corps,” said Burdette.

“Where do we go from here? Where do I go from here? After 100 years, haven’t we said enough?” Burdette asked. Answering her own question, she stated that America is a changing nation and this is a changing world. Problems will always need to be addressed.

“There are four core values that describe something that’s a powerful organization that lasts the length of time,” said Burdette. One of the core values is integrity and ethics, the next is respect, then innovation, and finally drive and motivation.

Burdette believes that Post 29 possesses all of the core values necessary to make it a longlasting organization.

“I never have been let down by this post for assistance,” she said.

“I stand here tonight and I applaud you for your first 100 years,” Burdette said to finish her speech. To thank her, Post 29 Commander Donald Lambert presented her with a stepping stone with the emblem of the Marine Corps.

Before the raffle drawing, Lambert announced that Post 29 found their temporary charter from before the first national convention, all the way back in 1919. On that charter were a list of historic Elkins names including H. G. Kump and F. C. Wimer.

At the end of the presentation, Rhett Dusenbury took the stage on behalf of Congressman Alex Mooney to present a letter.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude and respect to the veterans in attendance who have given so much for their country and the preservation of freedom around the globe, and I thank the families who sacrifice with them,” the letter read.

Boy Scout Troop 66, closely affiliated with Post 29, assisted with the flagbearing as many veterans stood to pay their respects to the flag they serve.

Post 29 1st Vice Commander Rick Hinchman honored POW/MIAs. A table was set up at the front of the room, full of symbolism representing what these POW’s fought for.

“We join together to pay humble tribute to them and to bear witness to their continued absence. (…) The table cloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms,” said Hinchman.

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