American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 100th birthday

Each year in lieu of their meeting, the Ronan American Legion Auxiliary hosts a birthday party for the Ronan Post 138. This year it was held on Wednesday, March 20 at the VFW in Ronan.

President Lorie Noble and her unit thought since this was the 100th year of the birth of The American Legion that to help celebrate this centennial event they would invite the other posts in the Mission Valley to share in the fellowship and comradery.

This year, more than 50 people were in attendance — representing not only Ronan Post 138 and Ronan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 138 but included members from St. Ignatius Post 106, Charlo Post 126, Polson Post 112 and their auxiliaries as well as several family members.

According to Ronan Post 138 Commander/Adjutant Glen Sharbono, veterans ranged from World War II to the current era with WWII veteran Jim Sivelle from Polson Post 112, who was in Tokyo Bay when Japan signed the surrender papers.

“We also had veterans from Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Panama, Grenada, the First Gulf War and the GWOT (Global War on Terrorism),” Sharbono said in a news release.

ALSO ATTENDING as members of their local posts and auxiliaries was Department Vice Commander Jeff Nelson of Polson Post 112, Department Auxiliary Secretary Jamie DeBates of Ronan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 138 and Department Auxiliary Historian Chris Nelson of Polson Unit 112. Sharbono also attended as Ronan Post 138 commander and District 4 Department of Montana commander. He is also commander of the Veterans Honor Guard.

Dinner was a baked potato bar with a large variety of toppings followed by cake and ice cream. Jessie Merwin of Ronan Auxiliary Unit 138 made a full sheet cake and other members of the auxiliary brought the toppings and served up a great meal, according to Sharbono. While everyone was enjoying their meal, Sharbono thanked Noble and the members of her auxiliary for hosting the centennial celebration.

Sharbono read the National Commander’s 100th birthday speech. Continuous membership awards were presented to members of Ronan Post 138.

Sharbono said it was noted that Roger Rasmussen of Polson Post 112 had 50 continuous years with The American Legion. Rasmussen had joined The American Legion on the day of its 50th birthday. That would make it 100 candles on Rasmussen’s birthday cake as well.

Jessie Merwin presented two Blue Star banners she made by hand to Robert Shaw, commander of Charlo Post 126, for him and his son — who is currently a Senior Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force.

“Happy birthday was sung and everyone seemed to have a good time,” Sharbono said. “Some had expressed that they wished all the students of the local schools could have heard the speech and perhaps have a better understanding of everything the American Legion has done and is still doing.”

Sharbono thanked everyone who attended The American Legion 100th birthday party and made the celebration a success and enjoyable experience.