Showing posts with label American Legion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Legion. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Take a Trip to the American Legion Cross Lake Floatilla, 2015

The Lowe-McFarlane American Legion Post 14 hosted an excellent end-of-summer party and Floatilla this weekend despite a political spitting contest earlier in the year which caused some on the planning committee to separate from the Legion and host their own Floatilla in May. The Floatilla has always been a great fundraiser for the veterans causes supported by the American Legion, and without getting into the politics of the rift, suffice to say that the two sides couldn't come together on which was more important: the individuals or the veterans causes, so we ended up with two Floatillas this year which isn't a bad thing at all.

The party started Friday night with the customary catfish dinner and pre-party at the Legion.  We registered for the Poker Run, ate catfish, and listened to The Sultans for a while, then called it an early night; we made plans to meet with friends for breakfast and get the boat in the water early to beat the crowds.

The theme this year was "Let Freedom Ring" and so there were lots of boats decorated with a patriotic theme for the boat parade.



We arrived just in time for the National Anthem and the opening ceremonies.  After a stop by the lounge for Bloody Marys, we were ready for the poker run!


Steve is enjoying his Jell-O shot from one of the stops.


The poker run is lots of fun and we were thankful that it wasn't windy because it's so much easier to ease up to the docks to pick up your cards!  The various stops offer water, margaritas, beer, jello shots, and vodka gummy bears.

We didn't win the poker run -- we were in second place for a bit, but that didn't hold up very long. We tied up to the Legion pier while we waited for the results:



We watched the boats...


...and the dogs...



...a stowaway chameleon...


...and the people:


I liked this dog...



It took  little coaxing...


... but he would get into the water to get his ball:


More from the boat parade:


This boat was cool:



This guy was having fun:



And there were the floaters:


People dancing and partying on boats:


And boats all tied together:



My kind of houseboat:


There was fun on land, too.


Families got there early to stake out their spots on the point where they could grill, listen to the music, and enjoy the land-based family events.


There was face-painting, a cow milking contest, and plenty of food vendors.



There was a celebrity dunking booth, too.  I think Mary Beth Lavery stayed in the water more than she was out of it, thanks to some kids with good aim:


and her father, Steve, gave an unfair assist with the water hose:



All in all, much fun was had by all on land and in the water. As for the division between the two Floatilla groups, it didn't seem to matter one iota yesterday. Folks turned out in a big way to celebrate the end of summer and to support the Legion and their efforts for America's veterans.  The sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and participants all came together for a good cause.

It was a good day.

The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:
Take a Trip to the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at BAFB
Take a Springtime Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden, LA
Take a Trip to Logansport, Louisiana
Take a Trip to the Lock and Dam on Red River
Take a Trip to the 2012 Barkus and Meoux Parade
Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take a Trip to the Fourth Annual Barksdale AFB Oktoberfest 
Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer Trade Day
Take a Trip to the 2011 Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Take an Autumn Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Take a Fall Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base
Take a Summertime Trip to Grand Cane
Take a Trip to Desoto Parish
Take a Summer Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Melrose Plantation 
Take a Trip to Ed Lester Farms and a Random Antique Stop
Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Masters of Cuban Art Exhibit
Take a Trip to Natchitoches to See the Christmas Lights
Take a Trip to the Third Annual BAFB Oktoberfest 
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Oakland Plantation
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Sunday, June 15, 2014

The American Legion Post 14 Flag Retirement Ceremony

Yesterday was Flag Day and as is customary the American Legion Post 14 on Cross Lake conducted its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Steve and I got there early to help set up and prepare for the ceremony; Steve was to participate in the ceremony yesterday and wanted to do a quick run through with the Boy Scouts that would be assisting.

We hauled the podium, amp, and flags out to the hill by the Boy Scout hut, we set up chairs in the shade for spectators, and brought out iced bottles of water.  

Here's our buddy Jerry helping hook up the amp:



The Boy Scouts got the fire going:


Various organizations were present and brought flags to be retired.  The VFW was there:


And Shawn Bohanan, Chef de Gare of  Voiture Locale 137 of the Forty & 8:


My friends John and Julia Dunning were there; I liked this one:


But Steve had me retake it when they were all paying attention:


After everything was set up Steve rounded up his little delegation and ran them through their paces a time or two; the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Young Marines were also there and joined the Scouts in assisting.


A small group of spectators assembled in the shade:


The Flag Retirement Ceremony is very dignified and formal.  A ceremonial flag is presented for inspection by the First and Second Vice-Commander and the Commander says:

Comrades, we have presented here these Flags of our Country which have been inspected and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love. 
“A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy. 
“Let these faded Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new Flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of our soldier or sailor dead be unhonored and unmarked. Sergeant-at-Arms, assemble the Color Guard, escort the detail bearing the Flags and destroy these Flags by burning. The members shall stand at attention.”


There is a prayer, and a bugler plays "To the Colors" and "Taps".  


One of the values of the ceremony, I think, is the dignity of it and the respect that the young people learn.  


Those participating did an awesome job.

The local media was there scrambling for the perfect shot:


And the firemen were there to keep everything safe!


After the bugler is finished, the flags are placed on the iron grate for burning.  At that point, legionnaires and veterans in attendance assist the Scouts in placing the flags on the grate.


This goes on for a while as the flags are properly consumed by the fire.  There were lots and lots of flags that had been collected through the year.


The fire department was at the ready:


You definitely wanted to stay out of the smoke:


The column of black smoke could be seen for miles:


And the heat from the fire was intense:


Just as it was all over and the fire about burned out, a lady drove up with a handful of flags and those went in too.  

It all took about forty-five minutes and then it was done.  

We loaded up the podium, chairs, amp, and the Post flags and cleaned everything up then adjourned to the lounge for some cold refreshments.  

Following that, Jerry, Steve and I went to grab some lunch then spent the rest of the afternoon cruising Cross Lake and just drifting the afternoon away.  



Check out this magnificent heron:


He was awesome:


And if all that wasn't enough fun, I made friends with a stray, nearly feral, kitten that is hanging around the Legion;  I fed her ham, cheese and crackers from our boat snacks.  It took me forever to get her to let me pet her but once she decided I was okay, she was very sweet.  We are going out there today to take some proper food for her so that whoever is on site each day can feed her.  



If you know of anyone who wants a sweet, beautiful kitten, let me know!
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Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014 in Shreveport


It has been a full day of Memorial Day events for us.   It has been a glorious day!


We began the day with the noon ceremony at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville where guest speaker Col. James A. Jackson spoke about his time in the service which elicited both laughter and somber moments from the crowd.  He pulled no punches on his opinion of the current state of the VA debacle; while he refrained from getting political, it was clear that his interest is with the veterans and that they get the care they deserve.  It was a message that was well received.


There was an extended round of applause for "the greatest generation" attendees which was simply awesome.  And then there was the presentation of wreaths from the veterans organizations.


Chef de Gare Shawn Bohanan presented for the 40&8 and Ed and Judy Lamb presented for Cabane 137.



After the ceremony Steve,our friend Jerry and I piled back into the Jeep and zoomed across town back to the American Legion for the Memorial Day observance by Branch 98 of the Fleet Reserve Association.  I made piles of chicken sandwiches which we destroyed on the way over to the Legion which is no small trick when you're in the back seat of a Jeep with the top down and your hair is blowing like a tornado in Kansas.



After the ceremony we all piled into the Legion lounge for cool refreshments.



The ceremony on the point was very well attended and was very moving.


Even the mayor attended!



 I wish I knew the story of every vet there.


 The wreath was cast upon the waters to the tone of solemn bells.



After it was all done Steve and I joined friends for a spontaneous cookout.  The setting was beautiful and the company was perfect.



All in all, it was a perfect Memorial Day:  solemn observances, good friends, and good memories.

Please be sure to check out my post today at DaTechGuy about Shreveport's version of Saving Private Ryan.  And if you live in the area please plan to attend the traditional Memorial Day observance Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery on the corner of Centenary and Stoner.  This event is usually so sparsely attended it just breaks my heart.  I would love to see a good crowd there this year.

If you can't come, please spread the word and invite others.




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