Commander honored at holiday party

By Bill Erin

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 | 2:55 p.m.

Boulder City American Legion Post 31 put an exclamation point on Christmas with its annual party on Dec. 16. The doors were opened at 5 p.m. and quickly filled with members, family and Auxiliary members all in a cheerful Christmas mode.

By the time food was served at 6, the long tables were filled, and Commander Doug McHam greeted all. Chaplain Ruth Taylor gave the invocation.

A surprise presentation was made to McHam by Taylor and Adjutant Joe Bowyer. McHam was presented with an engraved plaque of appreciation for his work over the past several years with Boys State. This is the Legion program in which each post selects senior high school students who travel to Carson City, in the case of Nevada, and take part in a mock state legislature.

The plaque read "Douglas McHam has kept our Boys State program flying." The attendees gave McHam a hearty round of applause.

"This is a great surprise," McHam said.

It should be noted that McHam also kept Post 31 flying when, earlier this year, he took over the job of commander after the newly elected commander suddenly resigned and moved to Missouri. McHam not only took over the multiple duties of this tough job, but is also chief cook and bottle washer for the Thursday morning social breakfasts, organizer and frequent participant in the many firing squad appearances of Post 31, as well as many other activities.

Then the buffet of turkey, ham and two tables of salads, potatoes, vegetables and appetizers were quickly attacked and vanquished. Then there was another table of cakes, pies, and assorted desserts.

A serious note was introduced when U.S. Navy veteran Dustin Cather was presented with the yellow ribbon sign that hung on a Veterans Memorial Drive lightpost during his time in service. Cather, who is from a military family, told the crowd that he had enlisted after high school with the idea of making a career of the military. An illness has prevented that, however, and he is once more a civilian.

Finally, Taylor announced that numbers had been taped under four of the chairs. Whoever was sitting in those chairs were the recipients of major Christmas presents. For all the rest of the attendees, there was a long table next to the Christmas tree loaded with brightly wrapped presents of all shapes and sizes. Everyone was instructed to pick up a present on the way out.

A round of applause was sounded for Taylor, the event organizer, and her No. 1 assistant, Dave Mulligan. It was Mulligan who climbed the tall ladder to the ceiling of the hall and put up the traditional Christmas lights.

Clayton Glenn and Jack Belleau set up the long tables and chairs that ran the length of the hall on both sides. Decorations and food were taken care of by Elma Donahue, Betty D'Amico, Marilyn Doty and Fran Knauss. Wrapping of the many presents was done by Helen Green and Eunice Hagen.

The next regular meeting of Post 31 will be Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Legion Hall. It will kick off the new year as members look forward to the annual round of events that keep Post 31 members busy. All veterans are welcome.