Page 40 - November Banner 2018_Neat

Page 40 November 2018
Our Neighborhood Veterans
My View of the Honor Guard
and Why I Am Proud
to be a Part of It
I am a member of the Sons of
AMVETS Squadron 7 Thurmont,
and I really enjoy the welcoming
feeling the people at the post have
conveyed to me since I joined. I
consider myself a part of the family
of Veterans, Auxiliary, and Sons, who
work together to make our post one
of the best in America.
The different factions and
functions of our family make
whatever we choose to venture into
almost always a success. I say almost
because we are not perfect; but, we
are working on it. The officers of the
post are always thinking about ways
to improve our post and you can see
the improvements with each visit.
We strive to help our Veterans and
our community every day. AMVETS
Post 7 has an award-winning Honor
Guard, led by Ed McKinnon, who
are invited to post colors at many
events and to participate in several
parades. The members stand guard at
Veteran’s funerals and do graveside
services, such as the folding and
presentation of the flag to the next of
kin and a rifle volley with the playing
of taps at the end of the firing. I was
asked to join the Honor Guard and,
at first, I thought they were joking,
because I was sixty-six years old and
I thought they would not want an
old overweight codger like me on
an award-winning team. Boy, was I
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by Jim Houck, Jr. lost in shipping. I had never heard offered a chair and some water from
of such a thing, but the only thing a kind lady watching the parade,
I could do was wait. I was told by who told me she knew as red as I
Billy—one of the team—that Omar was, the heat was just too much for
the Tent Maker was on strike, and me. I didn’t have the heart to tell her
they couldn’t make my uniform my pants were falling down, and that
until he returned. I mumbled under was the reason I was so red.
my breath a few syllables and went
The next parade, the same thing
merrily on my way. I had to go for happened, and, again, a lady offered
another fitting, and they stated they
me a seat and water and made the
would call me when it was in so they same remark to which I again offered no
could make adjustments. They didn’t
explanation and just said, “Thank you.”
give me a time frame this time, so Ed came looking for me after the
I waited and finally got the call. I parade each time and walked me
went immediately down there, and I back to meet the rest of the team.
wrong, as they already had men older walked out with my uniform in hand. He is a thoughtful and caring person
than I am on their team. So, I said I think Ed probably had a little talk who watches everything and who
yes and attended my first meeting with them when he took the patches will not put his men in jeopardy.
with them, not knowing what to and things down to them. I think I feel the Honor Guard Team has
expect. I have to say, I was hooked he probably threatened to take his accepted me for who I am, and I
after that meeting and never again brother Donnie down for a visit if certainly have accepted them. I truly
thought about not joining. they didn’t have the uniform soon. believe the Honor Guard of Post 7
Ed McKinnon was, and is, a When I got home, I tried it on and to be a vital part of the AMVETS
very patient man, who will teach, had a picture taken—I was so proud. organization. By the way, Billy had
with the help of all the other great I was so proud, not of the way I his pants fall down in one of the
guys on the team, everything you looked in it, but the way I felt in it. biggest parades of the year, falling all
need to know. He doesn’t expect Then came my first parade to the way down to his ankles. Omar
you to learn everything all at once, march in and, boy, was I ready for the Tent Maker, indeed!
which is why he holds practice each it—all 5 feet 8 inches, 270 pounds I am seventy-five years old now
month or as often as needed. I know of me. I was carrying a rifle on the and still a member, and still as proud
without practice that I would get left side of our Flag. I was marching of my teammates as I was the very
rusty and forget things when I needed and stepping right along for about first day I joined. We are also the
them, and I want to do the best job four blocks, and then it happened: I Honor Guard for the Department of
possible. I remember when Ed told could feel my pants starting to fall. I Maryland, and we are really proud of
me to go get fitted for a uniform. I tried hearing marching orders, while that as well. Ed McKinnon is still our
went to the tailor shop to get fitted; it handling my rifle with one hand and captain, and as far as I’m concerned,
really didn’t take as long as I thought pulling up my pants with the other, the best Honor Guard leader in our
it would. They told me the uniform but it got too frustrating and I had to AMVETS Organization!
would be ready in about two weeks drop out. I was humiliated and upset God Bless the United States of
and they would call me. I called Ed, at myself for having no butt or hips America, God Bless the American
explaining what they had said. He to hold up my belt and pants. I was Veteran, and God Bless You.
said he would call them and tell them
to call him first, so he could take
them the things they needed to sew Community Veteran Event Board
on the uniform that they would not
have.
I waited and I waited. It was Events at the Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7, 26
three weeks and I had heard nothing Apples Church Road, Thurmont
from them. I called Ed and he said
he would give them a call, which he
did. They told him the uniform got Free Breakfast for Veterans
The Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7 is holding a free breakfast for Veterans
on Sunday, November 4, 2018, from 7:00-11:00 a.m. The breakfast will be
served buffet-style, featuring scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, sausage
gravy, chipped beef gravy, pancakes, toast, coffee, tea, orange juice, and more!
The public is welcome. The cost for non-veterans is $5.00, ages seven through
twelve is $2.50, and ages six and under are free.
Shrimp Feed
Don’t miss the Shrimp Feed at the Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7 on
Saturday, November 17, 2018, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Doors open at 3:00 p.m.
The Feed features steamed shrimp, fried shrimp, fried chicken, sides, dessert,
soda, and AMVETS milk. The public is welcome. You must be twenty-one
years old to attend. The cost is $20.00 per person (non-refundable). Stay after
the feed for some karaoke and dancing, from 8:00 p.m.-midnight!
We Invite You to Share Your Good News!
[email protected] • Message Line 240-288-0108 • Publisher’s Line 301-271-1050 • Fax 301-447-2946