Post by deadwoodgultch on Nov 14, 2017 12:13:28 GMT
As usual November is a busy month for Veterans. This e-mail is from my American Legion post, very small from Reedville, VA. The e-mail was written by a retired Col. who started in the Army as an EM in 1968 and Retired after Desert Storm. Col Nickens (referred to in text) grew up in segregated schools and attended a predominately Black University. Buddy Scala(also in text) is 5'6" and about 140 lbs. soaken wet. We have a lot to be thankful for and proud of.
Legionnaires !!!
The Veterans Day Ceremony at Post 117 was a rousing success !!!
Thanks to Paul and Louise McIntire for the great chow that they laid on for lunch !!!
Commander Levi Walker made sure that we were properly entertained with an outstanding Speaker!!
COL Nickens was our Guest Speaker and provided us with great examples of "Sticking with the program" despite "obstacles".
He grew up in Avalon, graduated from the Julius Rosenwald High School, while working on his family's farm, went on to Hampton Institute and earned an Engineering Degree and a Commission in the Field Artillery.
Among his decorations is the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device .... so when he tells you something, it's not just "opinion"... it's FACT...... He HAS "The T-Shirt"!!!
Check our Facebook Page for photos !!!
And ....speaking of folks with "The T-Shirt" ... Legionnaire Buddy Scala was up at St Johns College High School in DC and was the Wreath Layer at their Veterans Day Ceremony.
As we all know, Buddy fought his way ashore in 5 opposed landings in the Solomons Campaign in the South West Pacific in WWII as a Combat Engineer (Small Boats).
Buddy is a member of a great Patriotic Family.... his Grandfather was a Navy and then Marine Corps Bandsman and rose to the position of Director of the Marine Corps Band... he wrote President Lincoln's Inaugural Parade March (remember, Buddy is over 90 !!!) !!!
Buddy and COL Nickens are prime examples of what makes America the best country in the World, and we are blessed to be able to call them friends !!!
Try this hyperlink to see Buddy taking part in the wreath laying ceremony at SJCHS on Veterans Day.
www.stjohnschs.org/page/news-detail-2015?pk=916061&fromId=193817
DRIVE ON !!!
Austin
Austin Schmidt
Adjutant
American Legion Post 117
Reedville, VA