Judy Kramer
County Reporter
American Legion Post 217 (AML) at 32739 Hwy MM is growing and improving its services to veterans and the community. Its members and volunteers take care of local veterans and spouses as well as those in the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. It sends care packages to active-duty personnel who cannot be home for Christmas at Whiteman Air Force Base and those deployed overseas. It also arranges many activities, benefits and entertaining events for the public.
Some of the major local AML programs for vets include an active Service Officer, Veteran Relief Fund and Honor Guard. The Service Officer helps vets and eligible spouses attain benefits which they might not have known were available to them. The services may include putting people with disabilities together with the Veteran’s Association for monetary benefits, college training or medical assistance. The Service Officer is available on Tuesday mornings until noon and is available for appointments.
The Veteran Relief Fund is supported by charitable donations only and provides one-time emergency relief for vets and their families. This could be in the form of propane gas, help with insurance or mortgage payments. It also helps widows or widowers whose indemnity may take a while to get started.
“We have bought power scooters, hospital beds and other medical equipment,” said Post 217 Commander Barry White. “We recycle equipment and fix it up. A vet doesn’t have to be an AML member to get this help. Once someone comes in, we set them up with the Service Officer for more long-term help.”
CDR White said that the post’s Honor Guard is a big service ensuring that vets receive military honors when passing. He said that it is also a way to be in touch with dependents so AML can try and help them. The Honor Guard recently bought new uniforms and they train two or three times a month. He said they look and perform like an active-duty unit.
The AML Auxiliary President, Jessi Kendall, said that this group is very busy and has many large groups at meetings. She said the Auxiliary is mainly composed of women, but is also open to men who are spouses of vets.
“We have built up in recent years,” said Kendall. “We support legionnaires and vets. We take candy to Warrensburg, hygiene and clothing supplies to school children, and send Christmas gifts overseas to military personnel. We sent 215 packages overseas last year. We spearhead a lot of the functions that go on at the post. Funds from the sale of poppies and donations all go back to vets."
Kendall added, "We had Halloween Hoopla last month and Wreathing of Waters will take place at 11:00 AM on November 11 at Drake Harbor. Afterwards, there will be a social with soup and chili at the AML. Our big thing is to work with the community and the vets.”
Brenda Mosley, also in the Auxiliary, oversees the kitchen. She said her duties include buying all supplies, separating bills, getting volunteers together, organizing celebrations of life for vets and candy buying.
In addition to Wreathing of the Waters on November 11, Post 217 has planned a first-time breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Clause on Saturday, November 25. It will take place from 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM. Children 12 and younger will have a free pancake breakfast, but anyone 13 years of age and older will pay a small fee. There will be free pictures with Santa.
The 20th Annual Toy Run, sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion, will take place at 5:00 PM on December 1, at the post. It is open to the public and admission will be a new toy or free-will donation. Last year, donations topped $10,000 for underprivileged children.
Gun shows are held at Post 217 on a quarterly basis, and live music events take place at events such as Halloween and Mardi Gras. Weekly programs include Hillbilly Bingo at 6:00 PM on Fridays with an open kitchen; Pitch at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays; Cornhole at 6:00 PM on Wednesdays; and Shuffleboard at 5:30 PM on Thursdays. Darts competitions will begin soon on Saturdays. The public is invited.
Benton County high school students in 4H or FFA can become involved in the Youth Shooting Program where they get exposure to firearms, and then they can move into track shooting.
Post 217 has a lot of work to do and a lot of volunteers, but they want more. There is a core group, but more are welcome and don’t have to be a vet or AML member. If someone has a skill in carpentry, then he or she would be able to build a ramp for wheelchair access. A mechanic could help vets with broken vehicles. Post 217 loves its volunteers.
CDR White said that many special occasions are being planned and the best way to keep up with their times is to go to American Legion Post 217 on Facebook or check its new website at https://americanlegion217.com. CDR White said there will also be notices provided in the Benton County Enterprise and on flyers.
Post 217 is open for members from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday for Kansas City Chiefs games, opening one hour prior to kickoff.
Membership in any Legion Family is dependent on military service and or relationship to an honorably discharged veteran. Additional information can be found at www.legion.org. Follow the links to the Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion.
