Players in this weekend’s Americal Legion State Golf Tournament in Danville got a special welcome on Saturday. Bill Pickett has the story…
The opening ceremony at Danville’s Harrison Park golf course included a fly-over by a half dozen planes saluting the veterans. Also on hand were American Legion Riders from Danville and Westville, two honor guards, and top leaders from the Illinois American Legion.
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. is pleased that Danville has hosted the event for eleven years….
{AUDIO: “You know, in the past we’ve been known for the way we honor our veterans, and to me this is just another way that we honor them. To be able to bring hundreds of people from across numbers of states to have some fun and remember those that have served our country along the way.}
State Representative Brandun Schweizer was one of the people who addressed the crowd Saturday. He says it’s a great tournament…
{AUDIO: “Great not only for the American Legion, to get their name out and what they do for veterans – but also for the community here in Danville to be able to host this. They hosted it last year. They’re hosting it again this year, and hopefully we can keep that going on.”
Mayor Williams noted the tournament will be back…
{AUDIO: “We are the permanent home now. We actually were officially made the permanent home this past year. And so that makes me very proud they enjoy themselves so much that they say they are going to come back forever.”}
(Danville American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard members Gerry Arnholt and Bob Balla prepare to raise the American Flag during Saturday’s opening ceremony.)
Over two-hundred golfers from eleven states were signed-up to participate in the competition at the Harrison Park and Turtle Run Golf Courses.
Proceeds from the tournament support a variety of programs that help support veterans. On Saturday checks were presented to representatives from the American Legion Department of Illinois, Wreaths Across America, Gateway Family Services, and Mission K-9 Warrior PTSD Dog Training.
(One of the dogs arrives in style – in a dog house.)
Also receiving checks were Veterans Caring for Veterans, Danville AMBUCS, and The Haven – which is a day lodge in Carbondale where veterans from the Marion, Illinois VA can go to relax.
(The master of ceremonies in the top photo is former Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer.)
