The Westville American Legion needs your help. A while back there was a big 100th anniversary celebration, and now it’s time to update the special wall in Zamberletti Park along Route One. Legion members Troy Strebin and Carl Trapp joined Linda Bolton on 1490 WDAN’s News Makers program, and said the idea is to have anyone who was a Westville High School graduate or Westville resident when they joined, served in the Military, and were discharged honorably; to have a place on this wall. Carl Trapp says, this can be very rewarding, for those honored, and those who help them get honored.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: I just got involved and I could see these guys, especially if their name wasn’t on the wall or if their dad’s name wasn’t on the wall, how hard some of these people worked to give me the information so I could put them on the wall. One quick story, there was a lady up in Danville that gave me a call, and said that her husband wasn’t on the wall. We got her information, and I went up to her house and picked up his DD 214, and there were tears in her eyes, and it was just a great moment.
Troy Strebin says, they are always looking for more members at the American Legion. Yes, younger Veterans are often very busy with family life, but once they stop in, they usually are there for good. But it helps for Legion posts to get creative.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: They’re trying all different kinds of ways; of charging stations for people’s cell phones, and movie nights to bring families in. As they come in for what may be a somber event or something that they normally wouldn’t come to the legion for, they realize that we’re more than just a bunch of old men sitting around talking war stories.
If you know of anyone that needs to be recognized on the Zamberletti Park wall in Westville, contact Carl Trapp by phone or text at 217-504-2080.
