Big news in Otto! The American Legion has established a new Post in the Otto community. While Post 553 had its first official meeting in February, the initial American Legion Department of North Carolina meeting will coincide with the American Legion’s birthday in March.
Post Commander Kirk Binning and other Post officers were sworn into office February 9 and conducted their first meeting February 13. At the February meeting, the Post remembered the sacrifice of four chaplains who died when the USS Dorchester was hit by a German U-boat. The chaplains gave their own life jackets to others, calmed other soldiers, and locked arms and sang to God as the ship went down.
Post member Jack Castle, commented, “The four chaplains ceremony is one of the most honorable services the Legion performs and shows the unity derived from serving God and country.”
At the March 13 meeting, the North Carolina Department Commander Tom Cerniglia, Division Commander Wayne Mihelich, and District Commander Robert Seibert will all be in attendance. They will recognize the official start of Post 553 and encourage the members in their future endeavors to reach other veterans and serve their local community.
American Legion Posts serve under four pillars: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth. The goal of each Post is to be supportive in various ways of each of these pillars.
Though the Post just became official, individuals involved have already been active as a group of veterans working together. This past holiday season they worked with Hickory Knoll United Methodist church sending cards to veterans serving overseas, Asbury United Methodist Church food pantry donations for local homeless and low income, and the Otto Community Development Organization with a Neighborhood Collection of household and hygiene items for those in need. They are currently supporting the Otto Fire and Rescue in their construction of a new fire station by participating in their brick purchase fundraiser. They are also collecting requested items for the Mental Health programs at the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville.
Future plans are to support the Division High School Oratorical Contest that develops knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution, while awarding thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Another program is the American Legion Boys State, which is the most respected and selective educational program of government instruction for young high school boys. They will also be raising money to send Moon Pies to active-duty personnel stationed in North Carolina.
At the March meeting, the Post will be celebrating the 106th birthday of the American Legion. Started in 1919, the American Legion is the largest veteran organization in the U.S. To be a member of the American Legion, one must be a veteran who served at least one day on active duty. Spouses and children have opportunities to be a part of the Legion through the Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion.
Commander Binning invites all veterans interested in being a part of the American Legion Otto Post 553 to attend the meeting on Thursday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at the Otto Community Building on 60 Firehouse Rd, Otto. Any questions, please email the Post Adjutant Cheryl Pelham at [email protected].