'Who are the Sons of the American Legion' & upcoming events

Although the Sons of the American Legion has only been active in the Malta/ Saco area for less than 3 years, they have been in existence elsewhere for a lot longer. The Veterans of WW II and earlier conflicts encountered many individuals and relatives who patriotically supported all veterans. To offer the non-veterans a group to channel their energy into the Sons of the American Legion was organized.

The club is open to male descendants, adopted sons, and step-sons of Veterans of military service. These so called (Squadrons) are sponsored, trained, and guided by the local American Legion Posts. The most commonly viewed functions seen by the public are the funeral honor guards for veterans and the Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. As our Post members get older and health limits their ability to perform these volunteer duties, the Sons of American Legion members will be called to fill in.

The Sons of American Legion devise ways to raise money to buy flags, banners, organizational support tools, and funds to donate to local groups, just like the Posts and other groups. In a similar manner the Legion Auxiliary, Junior members, VFW, and VFW Auxiliary commonly work in supporting each group's plans.

Upcoming Post and Sons events are as follows. District 2 Spring meeting of all Legion groups at Saco on March 30th. Raffle sales of the Sons -now till awarding prizes Memorial Day —May 27th. Post 57 Annual Garage Sale Fund raiser on April 20th. Memorial Day observances at Veterans Park, parade, dinner, and raffle prize drawing on May 27th. Honoring those who served by providing Honor Guards at Veteran's funerals in the perpetual future.

More American Legion News -- Kari Hould, PCN Correspondent

The American Legion Unit 57 Auxiliary Juniors and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) recently voted to join efforts, man power and energies to serve the community and veterans through a project. The two groups will be offering cemetery services prior to Memorial weekend by washing, cleaning and touching up the headstones and markers at the local cemetery as a volunteer project. Depending on each particular grave situation and the lawn growth at each, some grass grooming may be necessary as well.

Work will begin with the Veteran burial section. Families who have loved ones who are Veterans and are not buried in the military section will be the priority locations as well. The group is also sharing their intentions on various social media and would like those who have family or friends (not a Veteran affiliation) who are buried at the cemetery and would like a grave cleaned and or cleared to contact them prior to the start up date. The group will start when weather and grounds condition so allows. Those who reside out of the county or state are also welcome to provide the names of the deceased and efforts will be made to address any cleaning or landscaping that the group will be able to do.

Chairing the project are Kari Hould of the AL Auxiliary and Charlie Stevens, Commander of the SAL. The group will make every effort to see that each grave that is on the list for care is completed, however weather conditions may determine how many requests are completed. Hould can be reached by calling (406) 390-3552 and Stevens at (406) 654-4722. Call early to reserve your name on the list. Again, there is no charge for the services.