American Legion Post 168, Thurmont

May was a very wet poppy month. We even had to dodge rain drops to meet with Mayor John Kinnaird to present him with the first Poppy of the season.

For God and Country is Sunday, June 8, at Camp West Mar at 1:00 p.m. To the Legion’s founders, service to country was service to God, and service to God was service to country.

When the organizers sought spiritual leadership for the newly formed Veterans’ group, not surprisingly, they turned to military chaplains for guidance. Chaplains had shared the hardships and suffering of the soldiers, sailors, and Marines in the trenches of the Great War. They knew the emotional and psychological toll combat had taken on them.

Four chaplains—a Roman Catholic, an Episcopalian, and two Baptists—were instrumental in the founding of The American Legion and provided a spiritual underpinning for the new organization. These four—Charles H. Brent, Francis A. Kelly, Thomas H. Wiles, and John Washington Inzer—helped chart a course of service for God and country. Representing different faith traditions, these men,  unselfishly and in a nonsectarian manner, skillfully guided the religious and patriotic principles of individual obligation to the community, state, nation, and God.

At the ceremony on June 8, we will pay tribute to all Military by the laying of Wreaths for All Wars. Please join us for this somber event.

The Artisan Markets have been very popular, and we have more coming up, all geared to holidays that are approaching. The next one is during the SAL Car Show on June 14.

Don’t forget to register for the Golf Tournament on June 20. If you would like to sponsor a golf hole or a raffle prize, please contact Rick Hall (foundconfused@yahoo.com).

 The new membership year is quickly approaching. If you have not paid for your 2025 membership, please do so as soon as possible. The membership picnic will be held in September, and you will need your 2025 membership card to purchase your ticket and gain entry to the picnic.

Pictured are Auxiliary President Alesha Subasic, Miss Poppy Elinor Mathias, Miss Poppy Faithlon Mathias, and Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird.