American Legion Post 38 in Martins Ferry To Honor Veterans With Service and a Meal
photo by: Josie Burkhart
Veterans can enjoy a service dedicated to them and a dinner afterward at Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38.
The service will take place at noon on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Riverview Cemetery, located on Cemetery Drive high above the Purple City. The event takes place at the monument for veterans of all wars at the top of the hill.
A free meal will follow the service at around 12:30 p.m. at Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38. If it rains, the service will be at the legion instead of the cemetery.
Terry Wildman, Vietnam veteran and Monument Committee Chairman, said this service is an opportunity to honor all veterans and what they’ve done for the country.
“We’re honoring all veterans of all wars,” he said. “That’s the point of Veterans Day. It’s one time a year that we honor the men and women that have fought and died for this country.”
Wildman said he’d like to have people from all walks of life at the service to honor the veteran. He believes it’s important for Americans to come together one day out of the year to honor those who fought to protect the country’s citizens and the freedoms they have.
Wildman said the city usually has a good turnout for Veterans Day celebrations, with around 30 to 35 people attending. He and other veterans said they are looking forward to the camaraderie and honoring those who have served.
Other veterans will attend the service and meal, including Adjutant Jeff Sommer of the Sons of the Legion, post Commander Joe Klug and Gordon Waide, chaplain at American Legion Post 38. Sommer and Klug are squadrons of Post 38.
Wildman said Sommer and Klug have put together Post 38, crediting them for the appearance of the building.
“You’d think it was a million dollar post,” Wildman said. “They’ve done things. They’ve painted and done this and that. The outside of that post looks excellent, and they take care of everything. They’re the ones that should be honored for how Post 38 looks.”