American Legion Plans for Events
American Legion Post 134 Plans for Events
By Teresa Holloway
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – The American Legion Post 134 and Auxilary Unit 134 are stoking the excitement for the New Year’s Eve party this year.
The Legion and Auxilary have worked “exceptionally hard” setting up the party and organizing prizes, drawings and music, according to Post Commander James Meachen.
The popular Perry Little Band, who often plays at the Old Lovelady Gym, will provide the dance tunes inside the recently refurbished, newly non-smoking dance hall at the Legion.
At the regular meeting of the Post on Monday, Dec. 12, Legion members voted to reduce the the cover charge to $10 per person this year and guests can purchase beer and drinks at the Legion bar during the event.
Door prizes, a fifty-fifty drawing and other events will be held periodically during the celebration.
In more serious business, Meachen and his crew signed up 15 eligible senior citizens who wish to have American Red Cross smoke alarms installed in their homes free of charge.
The project is a combined mission of the Red Cross, Crockett Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Crockett and the American Legion Post 134.
The Red Cross is on a drive to install smoke alarms in the homes of those who need them with the goal of reducing or eliminating house fire deaths. Crockett civic organizations are invited to participate.
Early detection is the key to saving lives, and the holiday season regularly has higher numbers of house and structure fires and many result in the needless death of the occupants.
Meachen invited anyone in need of these services to call the American Legion at 936-544-3888 to schedule assistance.
City and county residents may also call Crockett Volunteer Fire Department at 936-544-5553 or Crockett City Hall at 936-544-5156 for assistance.
Service Officer Tommy Simmons told the assembled Legion members only five more bricks remained to complete another row in the Veterans Memorial Wall outside the Legion Hall.
The “bricks” are black marble and professionally engraved plaques permanently affixed to the Memorial Wall in honor of the service of Houston County veterans and those nationwide who served in any of the Armed Forces.
“Veterans do not have to be deceased to have their names placed on the wall,” Simmons said. “That’s a common misconception. We have these bricks to honor all our veterans.”
The price for the bricks is $100.
For more information on the Veterans Memorial Wall or reserving a memorial plaque for a loved one, call Simmons at 936-544-3888.
“If you haven’t already, you should go look at the wall,” he said. “So many people from this area have served our country and the memorial was created to honor them and the veterans who gave so much.”
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 134 gives away a rifle in an annual drawing every year to raise money for two $1,000 scholarships and funds for other student benefits.
This year, Mary Ann Rosencrans of Wortham took home a Ruger American 7.08 mm rifle custom-fitted with a Redfield scope.
“Last year, we were able to raise enough money for the scholarships as well as to assist the Crockett FFA students with travel expenses to the national finals,” Auxiliary Treasurer Kris Meachen said.
“This year, we sold all the tickets,” Meachen said.
Meachen said the Auxiliary members were grateful for the generosity of the community over the years. The monies received allow the auxiliary to help the community, in return.
“These funds will be deposited for the scholarships,” she explained.
The Auxiliary participates year-long in raising funds for charitable work in the county, both for veterans and civilians.
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