Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – History will be made in Stoddard County as the American Legion Post 59 hosts a visit this Saturday from the National American Legion Commander Dan Dellinger of Vienna, Virginia. This may be the first time a sitting Commander has ever visited our area and Darryl LaPierre, local Commander, couldn’t be more proud.
“It’s big for us! He will tour Tom Love’s place at Gobbler Ridge, then visit the Veterans Cemetery and Stars and Stripes Museum before sitting down with us for lunch.” Commented LaPierre. “He will be traveling to Festus, Sikeston, Perryville, Poplar Bluff and St. Louis over four days and for him to spend Saturday with us is just monumental! We are all very honored.”
The morning will begin early at 8:00 a.m. when Dellinger travels to the Disabled Veterans Hunting Facility – Gobbler Ridge Farms in Bloomfield, Missouri. As a part of his tour he will stop and visit with Tom Love and see the beautiful land set aside for disabled veterans.
Then at 9:30 he will visit with Ken Swearengin, Director of the Missouri Veteran Cemetery and will have a personal tour the grounds. It wouldn’t be a complete visit of the area without spending some time with Sue Mayo at the Stars and Stripes Museum.
A luncheon will follow at the Kenady-Hanks Post 59 building with our local Commander, Mr. Darryl LaPierre officiating.
Traveling with the Commander will be Department Commander Tom Goodin, Alt. National Committeeman Kenny Goth, Senior Vice Commander Dennis Woeltje, Department Historian Paul Bennett, Auxiliary President Barbara Sheets, National Commanders’ Aide Bob Renner, National Executive Committeeman Charley Goodin, Department Adjutant Lowry Finley-Jackson, Zone 4 vice Commander Betty Gonzales, and Sons of the American Legion Commander Jay Marsden.
Dellinger is the not only the national commander, but the chief executive officer and official spokesman of The American Legion. He has full power to enforce provisions of the organization’s constitution, by-laws, and resolutions. He was elected on August 29, 2013 in Houston, Texas during the 95th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
The ShowMe Times will tour with the National Commander on Saturday and will share his experience with the Stoddard County community. We are honored to have him in our area visiting some of our most beautiful resources.
