Leyton's Legion 301 Auxiliary holds Community-wide Veterans' Soup Luncheon

By Community Contributor Tim Melton

On Sunday, before the Leyton School Celebration, November 10, the Auxiliary of Legion 301 held a Veteran's Soup Luncheon at the Legion Hall. Veterans, family, and friends were invited to attend.

Leyton Schools, located in Dalton and Gurley Nebraska held their annual Veteran's Day Celebration on the 11th of November. Prior to this year, only the 9th through 12th grades were invited to celebrate with the Veterans. This year, the whole school, kindergarten through 12th grade was invited to attend.

The American Legion Auxiliary 301 prepared a breakfast of rolls, coffee and juices for the veterans to enjoy before the ceremony. The Leyton High School Choir sang some patriotic songs while the veterans were enjoying breakfast.

The Veterans adjourned to the gym where Leyton Superintendent Matt McLaughlin had a few opening remarks. The Sons of the American Legion posted the colors and Pastor Bud Gillespie, Chaplain of American Legion 301, led the students and Veterans in an opening prayer.

"Tribute to the Armed Forces and America", a service-related piece was played by the Leyton High School Band. Following the music, the Boys State participant: Matthew Schwaderer, and the Girls State participant, Lila McLaughlin spoke about their experiences in Lincoln.

Quilts of Valor were presented to three veterans: Tom Walsh (Army, served in Viet Nam) Ron Draper (Air Force), and Leon (Bud) Gillespie (Army, served in Crete and US). A Quilt of Valor is a formal expression of appreciation, to veterans, from a grateful nation. Each quilt presented will be registered with the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The ladies that made the quilts were: Barb Reimers, Marie Groshans, and Linda Morgan.

There was a POW MIA-Table ceremony, which was demonstrated by Timothy Melton, Commander of American Legion 301. He explained that the table was set separately, away from the other activities, and it was decorated with special symbols in honor of the prisoners of war and missing comrades. It is a reminder of, and in honor of, all the veterans unaccounted for from previous wars. In addition, it is a reminder of the friends and families who want an accounting of the missing loved ones.

The main speaker was Pete Morgan who served in the US Marine Corps from 1973 to 1994. He was stationed in Okinawa Japan with 1st Battalion 4th Marines and participated in Operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Saigon). He taught Marine Corps recruits at MCRD San Diego. Pete participated in Operation Earnest Will, (protected ships from Iranian Gun Boats) and Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Pete spoke about being proud of being an American and having served in the US Marines. The emphasis was not only on combat duty, that he was involved in, but that every serviceman and woman who served in the armed forces wrote a blank check to the country. This check included duty that was required up and including giving your life. To illustrate this he read the oath that every person takes when he/she enters the service.