On Aug. 31, a new school season is set to begin. Even with the insidious prevailing pandemic and its emerging threatening variants looms like a predacious killer on the outskirts of our community, there is an air of excitement and anticipation for a new and exciting return to “normal.” Students are all anticipating the return to the classroom, a return to an active sports schedule, a return to the many clubs and outside activities such as dance schools or drama. Students stand on the fringes anticipating and anxious. The threat of another year of cancelations still threatens.
Our professional teachers deal with the same anticipation but with a guarded and protected shield. The past year has hit them with double blows and the new normal is being cautiously examined.
The American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 Ronceverte is also anticipating a return to normal. Annual Post 26 visits each of our county’s 5th-grade elementary schools and presents the flag etiquette program. “We also love to give awards to students for their outstanding quality of character in the areas of leadership; honor, integrity, helpfulness, patriotism and service, qualities sometimes overlooked by those achieving a high GPA (which is also very important).”
Post 26 recruits young men of character and a 3.0 GPA for Mountaineer Boys State Camp at Jackson Mills. Two sessions of Mountaineer Boys State Camp have been canceled because of the insidious pandemic enemy. This year Post 26 is looking for a bumper crop of young men to attend from Greenbrier County.
Another activity the American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 Ronceverte is looking forward to is a return of the scholarship awards program with the Oratorical Contest.
Also, Legion members love working with, in whatever way possible, the JROTC from both East and West high schools. The JROTC is always available to lend a helping hand to Post 26 during the Memorial weekend each year helping Post 26 to place flags on deceased comrades’ graves in 14 cemeteries within the county.
“We will be conducting our first gathering activity on September 11 for our annual Flag Disposal Ceremony. Our beloved and honorable American Flag is disposed of in a dignified and respectful method. The public will be invited to participate in this activity also. More information will be forthcoming.”
Students, parents, teachers, the American Legion, and many, many more organizations look forward to the new and exciting school season.
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