American Legion

Carroll Post No. 31 of the American Legion was first chartered in Carroll County on Aug. 16, 1919. The original group consisted of 15 members and was organized after the soldiers returned from World War I. They were welcomed home with a parade on July 4, 1919. A row of trees were planted at Fairground Hill and dedicated to the 31 Carroll County soldiers who died in the war. - Carroll County Maryland: A History 1837-1976 by Nancy M. Warner

The Carroll County liquor board found the Hampstead American Legion not guilty of noise, illegal conduct and open-container complaints lodged by a next-door neighbor.Robert S. Williams of the 1000 block of Cedarbrook Drive told the board that excessive noise levels from live bands at the American Legion are a common occurrence two or three Saturday nights a month.Williams said he had problems with beer cans and bottles being tossed under 30-foot pine trees that separate legion property from his. He also said members attending dances often gathered on the parking lot, drank openly and made noise after the music stopped at 12: 30 a.m.And Williams said attempts to get legion officials to address his complaints were greeted with hostile, obscene comments.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The meeting of American Legion Post 44 was well under way last week when three old-time Legionnaires in blue Legionnaire caps poked their heads into the room, looked around at the crowd and quickly retreated.This was not the American Legion they knew, a network of 16,000 posts around the nation where conservative war veterans could swill a beer and talk about the old days.At Post 448, known as the Alexander Hamilton post, the majority of the veterans are gay, the beverages are wine and coffee and the talk is not of battles past but of the current struggle for gay rights in the military.

While America may pause on holidays to remember the many sacrifices made by our nation's veterans, local members of the Sons of the American Legion pay tribute daily to their military forefathers."

While Fort Meade has been struggling to accommodate thousands of Army reservists being sent to the Persian Gulf, counselors and support groups are busy trying to help the families left behind.It is not an easy task, as those trying to help are finding money running shortand new problems cropping up every day."Everything has sort of blossomed," said Marci Emmerson, head of Support Services at Fort Meade. "It is stressful. There are more financial problems. Everything just escalates."The support group at Fort Meade handles problems experienced by the 2,810 servicemen and their families permanently stationed and living at the fort.

Last summer, the Severna Park Post 175 baseball team had its season end in an agonizing way, when Francis Scott Key Post 11 took a 5-4, 10-inning victory in the American Legion state tournament in Hagerstown.The game had been suspended the previous night with the score tied, 4-4, in the top of the 10th inning because fog hampered visibility at Municipal Stadium. Severna Park loaded the bases without scoring, and Francis Scott Key needed about 15 minutes the next day to send Post 175 home.

American Legion Gold Star Post 191 of Mount Airy will hold a family open house from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 801 Prospect Road. The community and especially veterans are welcome to meet members and find out about the post's programs. The organization supports the community through high school scholarships, holiday memorial services, charities, weekly bingo and local sports teams. The post also helps members with veterans' rights and activities. The post includes the American Legion, an auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

CHICAGO -- Democrat Bill Clinton sought to bury questions over his Vietnam-era draft status, and President Bush presented himself as a comrade in arms in separate appearances before the country's largest veterans' group.Mr. Clinton also touted his plans to reduce defense spending, improve veterans' programs and open government files on POWs and MIAs."If I should lose this election on the real issues, I shall be satisfied that I tried my best and was fairly judged," he told the American Legion at its national convention.

In the early morning of June 25, 2002, Officer 1st Class Patrick Eckley and his canine partner, Ben, searched for the source of piercing screams that caused nearby residents to call 911 and walked into the dark woods next to a Columbia apartment complex. The officer and his dog came upon a man sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. His hands were still around her throat. When the man started to run, Eckley unleashed Ben, who bit the suspect on the leg and held him until the officer could subdue and handcuff him. Eckley arrested the man, who was later sentenced to 65 years in prison for attempted murder and sexual assault.

This is the season of soccer camps, outdoor camps, fat camps and computer camps. But at the campus of Western Maryland College in Westminster this week, a group of teen-age boys is having a summer experience unlike any other.They are polite as butlers, addressing a visitor as "Sir."They are the definition of order, marching in flawless rows to meals and class.They will elect a governor and two senators.This is the American Legion's Maryland Boys State, a week-long program that teaches high school boys the values of democracy, citizenship, public service and, yes, good behavior.