News: Thorp Am. Legion (100th Anniversary – 2018)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schoolcraft

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 15 Aug 2018

Submitted by Ken Schoolcraft, Past 7th District i " Commander, Present Department Vice Commander

Well, troops, the 100th anniversary of the American Legion's, founding is well on its way. As for myself, I feel like I'm going to be in the middle of this, whirlwind year. For me, it kicked off at the Department of Wisconsin's State Convention held in Oshkosh this past July. For you Legion members, you'll be able to read all about it in your Badger Legionnaire. For those of you who are "not" members yet, stop by your local Legion Hall. They'll have issues along with the American Legion Magazine which is out of the National Headquarters.

At the convention, 1, along with three others, were elected to Vice-Commander positions. I know now this 100th year will be specially busy for us. In my case, the area includes the 1st, 3rd, and 7th Districts. I'll be t responsible for an area from Thorp in Clark County, south through the 7th and bordering with the 3rd District at s Richland County, then all the way to the Wisconsin-Illinois border, then east to the Madison area. I then drop south through Rock County, and east again all the way to Lake Michigan with a panhandle north through the western suburbs of Milwaukee. Whew! The 4th and 5th Districts
make up Milwaukee and fall under another Vi Commander's area.

The Vice Commander's main duties include, but are not . limited to, representing the State Commander when he cannot attend a function and being the goodwill ambassador for the American Legion. So I'll be making a conservative effort to be in all areas next year.

I also just returned from a trip to Washington, DC, where ' I made a bold effort in keeping up with my granddaughter and close to 200 of her 8th grade classmates on their class trip. I have to admit, after three days and approximately six miles later, I was closing the gap!

: The two main things that will stick in my mind forever s are the night tour through the National Mall and the Wreath ie Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.
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The National Mall at night puts a whole new perspective on the word "solemn,'" especially at the Korean Wall Memorial where I half expected those on patrol to move at any moment.

The other event that will forever be implanted in my memory is the wreath laying -ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. My granddaughter, along with three others, performed this honored tradition. This makes a grandfather, a Veteran, so proud. Arlington itself is so gripping. To walk among Privates and Generals to Presidents and everyth,..0 .in between is mind-boggling. And for the 200 8th graders to be so respectful to our honored dead, well, what can I say but well done!

The final entry this time will feature the Legion Riders and the National Ride coming through our area on the 22nd and 23rd of August on their way to the 100th National Convention in Minneapolis. For those of you who are not aware of the Legacy Scholarship, if a parent is a casualty of the War on Terror or 50-100% disabled, the fund is used to pay their children's college tuition.

I'll try to be brief, being more will be provided concerning details by the riders as the 22nd draws closer, j Here is what I do know:

Riders will arrive at Onalaska Legion around 5:30 p.m. on the 22nd. On August 23rd, they J will pull out of Onalaska at 7:30 a.m., travel down Sand Lake Road to Hwy. 53 and arrive in Galesville at 8:00 a.m. for a wreath laying ceremony. They leave Galesville at 9:00 a.m., ' heading west on Hwy. 35, arriving in Fountain City at 9:25 . a.m., Alma at 9:45 a.m., Pepin at 10:05 a.m., and Prescott at J 11:00 a.m. for a fuel stop. Then they proceed into ! Minnesota and Minneapolis for the convention. They ask that we line the streets and overpasses with flags to show our support for this wonderful cause.

Afraid you might miss it? Just listen for the roar of over 200 bikes! It is quite impressive.

I do have one disappointment, however, Back in April at the 7th District Spring Conference, I asked the 57 posts in the district to donate to the District's ride. Just five did. Hope you can come to the Onalaska Legion and still do your part.

Let's make the 7th District stand tall that day.

I'll see you here after the 100th.