Dinner to remember heroes of Sept. 11

Bill Erin

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | midnight

Today, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day. It is a day as infamous as Pearl Harbor Day. On both of these days, the United States was subject to a sneak attack. On Patriot Day 2001, we were subjected to a sneak attack by terrorists who carried out a carefully planned and executed hijacking of four passenger jets.

These terrorists slammed two of them into New York's Twin Towers, destroying the towers and killing more than 3,000 people. Another plane severely damaged the Pentagon and killed all aboard. A fourth was diverted from its mission of smashing into the White House by the courageous people aboard, all of whom died in the flaming wreckage.

Tonight Post 31 will hold a potluck dinner to honor their memories. At the same time, we pay tribute to the police and firemen of Boulder City who are ready to assist us just as the heroes of the New York Fire and Police Departments did during that day of infamy in 2001.

These stalwarts of Boulder City and their families have been invited to join us for the dinner as a token of our appreciation for their service. A picnic-like dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, beans and cake will be served, along with all the fixings, brought pot-luck by the members and auxiliary who attend. They are asked to bring side dishes such as salad, potatoes, vegetables, etc., as their contribution.

Today is a day to proudly fly the American flag. If you have a flagpole with halyard, fly the flag at half-mast. Either way, display a flag from sunrise to sunset.

The doors to Legion Hall, 508 California Ave., will open at 5 p.m., and dinner will be served, buffet style, at 6.

Meantime, the regular monthly meeting of Post 31 was, as usual, held on the first Tuesday of September with Commander Doug McHam presiding.

First Vice Commander Pete Peterson reported that post membership is now at 212 members. This includes two new members and two transfers. So far, 161 of these have renewed their membership. This represents a 76 percent re-up to this date.

Peterson said those members who have not yet renewed were sent personal invitations to join us at the Post for our Patriots Day celebration and encouraged to bring their membership renewal with them.

Peterson also said that in an effort to recruit new members, from now on a membership application form is being enclosed with each communication mailed out. It's hoped this will make it more convenient for someone in contact with a potential member to complete the transaction on the spot.

Chaplain Ruth Taylor announced that the Auxiliary Unit 31 is undertaking a new fund-raising project. The group has made arrangements to handle travel services through the auxiliary, booking cruises, air travel, flowers, hotels and sporting events.

To book your next flight or vacation, or get further information, call Fran at 293-4100.

For each booking through the auxiliary, a fee will be collected. The money will go toward supporting the auxiliary's annual efforts to send Boulder City High School representatives to Girls State, where high school students learn how to create and pass legislation.

The next meeting of Post 31 will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Legion Hall. All veterans are welcome .

The increasingly popular Thursday morning coffee/breakfast get-togethers continue unabated from 7 to 9. Drop by and sample McHam's delicious pancakes, eggs, sausages and bacon or biscuits and gravy.