Veterans receive check, cheer

Staff members cheered and clapped at the Columbia Walmart Supercenter Wednesday morning as Manager Mike Lowery presented a check to members of American Legion Post 90.

Nearly a dozen American Legion members gathered at the local Walmart to receive a donation of $1,500 to help with the organization's community service efforts. The Columbia group received a hearty cheer and applause as it accepted the check from about 25 Walmart employees gathered in the store's break room.

Post 90 Commander Bill Harris and Adjutant Leo DeOrnellas spoke to the group about the American Legion and its mission and thanked Walmart for its support.

"American Legion Post 90 was named after Horatio Rankin, who died in World War I," DeOrnellas said. "It has been in existence for quite some time and was formed right after World War I, between World War I and World War II. It flourished quite well over the years. It had its home in Foxworth and did well until after the Vietnam War. After this period, local interest waned and the membership could no longer support the Post existence. We never lost our charter, and in February 2015, a few veterans gathered, seeing the need to reestablish the post. Shortly thereafter, officers were elected and we were on our way."

DeOrnellas said Post 90 members have learned about the post's namesake, Horatio W. Rankin, who was born in 1893 to T.J. and Hattie Rankin and lived in Beat 5 in Marion County. Rankin served in the 38th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division, U.S. Army. He died on Oct. 11, 1918, and is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romange, France. He died during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign from Sept. 25 to Nov. 11, 1918.

The Post is growing, according to DeOrnellas.

"We're now 32 members and hope to add more," he said. "We're glad to be here today and we're very thankful to the Walmart Foundation for this gift. We can put it to good use. As we grow, we will become more and more community-involved. That is one of the missions of the American Legion, which is the oldest veterans organization in the country."

DeOrnellas also told the group about some of the items performed by the Post since it was reestablished.

"Last year, we sent two young men to Boys State," he said. "For those who do not know what Boys State stands for, it's been a mission of the American Legion to keep up our civics. We feel civics aren't promoted like they should be."

Boys State is a weeklong program held each year where students learn about government. They elect leaders and have their own legislature and government.

"We go through a selection process with local schools to come up with candidates," DeOrnallas added. "We sent two last year and two the year before to this program, which is held in Starkville at Mississippi State University. The two boys that attended came to one of our meetings and reported about what they had done. They got a lot out of the program. They were well informed."

DeOrnellas said the grant would help Post 90 with future endeavors.

"We've got some additional projects we'd like to do," he said.

Harris then spoke about the group's potential growth.

"One thing about Marion County is that we have a high percentage of veterans here," he said. "We've got about 2,500 veterans in the county. Our community is very patriotic when it comes to service. Our purpose is to remain in service; we were all in the service and now want to be of service to our community. That's what we're about."

Harris encouraged veterans to join the organization and noted that dues were $40 per year.

"There are many benefits that you can derive from being a member," he said. "We're going to be more and more involved in the community."

The American Legion's biggest annual fundraiser is its annual Poppy Day, which this year is slated for Memorial Day weekend, but the organization also is involved in other community activities. Red Poppies are sold by Legion members at various locations around the area. Those who purchase them are asked to wear them in honor of those who have served.

"We had so much fun in the Christmas Parade this year, that we've already got plans and designs for a bigger and better float," DeOrnellas said. "We have member who is 94 years old, Mr. Howard Bennett, who was a nose gunner on a B-24 in World War II and flew 30 missions over Germany. He is an inspiration to us."

Legion members again thanked Lowery and the Walmart associates as they took pictures and got hugs. The veterans clapped and smiled along as the Walmart associates performed a Walmart Cheer for them.

Lowery spoke about the grant after the ceremony and said it was an honor to be able to assist the American Legion.

"Our store has many who have served," he concluded. "We love our veterans. We wanted to be a supporter of the American Legion and what they stand for. It was awesome for us to be able to give that. Our associates really appreciate them and our associates are our Walmart. It was really good."

Pictured Above: Columbia Walmart Supercenter manager Mike Lowery leads his associates in the Walmart cheer as American Legion Post 90 members clap along. | Photo by Mark Rogers