Legion Seeks Volunteers To Honor Veterans – Announces Essay Contest Winners

Ellwood City’s J. Wilbur Randolph American Legion Post 157 has a full slate leading up to Memorial Day on May 27th and can use your help.

The Ellwood City Area has a rich tradition of honoring men and women who have served our nation and Ellwood citizens have always made a special effort in recognizing Service members who have passed. The following are opportunities for you to help our Legion Post carry on this valuable tradition.

PLANTING FLOWERS IN LEGION PARK – The American Legion Park on Pittsburgh Circle and 4th Street regales each year in a cloak of flowers provided by D’Addio’s Family Nursery. Mr. Sam Pawlowski has refreshed the flower beds for planting and Legionnaires and volunteers will plant the flowers at 10:30 on Saturday, May 18th. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to interact with veterans in beautifying the Park for the post-Parade service on Memorial Day.

PLACING FLAGS ON VETERAN’S GRAVES – The Post will place American flags on veteran’s graves at Wurtemburg, Slippery Rock, Locust Grove, and Holy Redeemer Cemeteries. If you are interested in this opportunity, the Post will decorate Wurtemburg at 6:00 p.m. on Monday May 20th, Slippery Rock at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 21st, and Locust Grove and Holy Redeemer at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday May 22nd. Interested volunteers should meet at the respective cemeteries prior to 6:00 to get the flags and directions.

EIGHTH GRADE ESSAY WINNERS – the Post is also pleased to announce the winners of the annual 8th grade Essay Contest for Lincoln and Riverside students. This year’s topic was: “What Contributions did the Civilian Population of the Ellwood City Area Make Toward Our Victory in World War 2.” The winning essayists were: from Lincoln High School – Addison Minerd and William Elder; and from Riverside High School –

Emma Myer and Wyatt Herschell. These four writers are invited to ride in Ellsworth, the Ellwood City Area Historical Society Trolley during the Parade and to read their winning essays at the post-Parade ceremony in Legion Park. Each will also be presented with $100.00 cash award at the Legion Picnic in August.

Continuing the annual Memorial Day tradition In Ellwood, Legion and the Beaver –Lawrence County Veteran’s Honor Guard members will meet at Legion Park at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 27th to half-mast the flag and then proceed to 12 local cemeteries and one World War 2 dog’s gravesite to conduct Military Rites in honor of local deceased veterans. At each cemetery, the Honor Guard will say a prayer, conduct a three-volley rifle salute, and play taps. These veterans will also be in the Memorial Day parade in Ellwood City where they will conduct the ceremony for veterans buried at sea on the Lincoln High School/Veterans Bridge during the parade and an Honors Ceremony/Wreath Laying at Legion Park at the ceremony after the Parade.

The American Legion looks forward to seeing the many patriotic citizens of our area at these events.