Adena Legion recognizes graduating students entering military

By Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter

ADENA — The Adena American Legion Post #525 held a recognition dinner for local high schoolers who plan on going into the military after graduation.

The Legion was decorated by the Ladies Auxillary for the occasion with banners that said “We believe in you” to remind the graduates that Legion members are there to support them.

Post Commander Dirk Harkins spoke, first thanking everyone involved in the event including Legion members, those who cooked the meal, and everyone who showed up.

“I want to thank all the seniors and their families for coming out here. This isn’t about us, it’s about you. I want to thank Alex Rogers and the rest of [the Legion] for pushing us to do something for these fine young men and women who are writing a blank check, challenging themselves to be better to better their communities and to better their country. We can’t thank you fine men and women enough for your patriotism and willingness to defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Tonight this is your night. We want to honor you all for your commitment to both God and country.”

He encouraged the students to stay in touch with the Legion through its Facebook page. “We’re here to support you guys,” he said.

“While you’re on active duty and when you come home.”

After the dinner, Sons of the American Legion Adjudant Alex Rogers spoke to the graduates, “This recognition dinner will be a small part of your enlistment journey into the unknown with courage and determination,” he said. “There’s going to be a time in your young life when you’re going to have doubt. That’s normal, that’s life. But when you have that little hint of doubt, think back on this night and think about how we believe in you. … We want to be part of your secondary, backup, military family from here on.”

Rogers also encouraged the students to reach out to the Legion’s Facebook to let them know where they’re stationed, what they’re doing, etc. so the post can send support. He shared that each graduate would receive a challenge coin along with a certificate of recognition. The tradition of carrying a challenge coin has a long history in the military but doesn’t have a clear origin. The most common assumption, as shared by Rogers, is that a lieutenant gave each man in his unit a custom coin as a memento of serving together. One soldier, shot down by the enemy, lost all of his identifying information so when he met with allies, they thought he was a spy. The only item he had was the coin from his lieutenant, which was just enough to keep him from being executed. After making it back to his squadron, it became a tradition for soldiers to carry a coin emblazoned with their unit insignia. He called each student up to get their certificate and to briefly introduce themselves and share what branch they are entering. Student Wyatt Foreman, entering the U.S. Navy, said “I definitely believe in serving the country. The branch and job I chose will benefit me later in life. I want to utilize the time I’m in there and not waste a single second. … I guess why I joined was really the opportunity, to step away from what I know, what’s easy, what’s comfortable, and jump into something that’s more difficult and will change me.”

James Lucas, who is entering the Army National Guard, shared that he chose the branch because they let him join a year earlier than others. Sean Forrester, joining the U.S. Air Force, said, “I’m joining because I want to go around the world and explore. I want to help our nation and I think this is the best option for me and I’ll gain skills I won’t learn anywhere else.”

Emily Shafer, the only female graduate, said she will be joining the U.S. Air Force. “I joined to serve my country, and I had a lot of family inspiration,” she said.

Harkins read the names of those who were unable to attend the dinner before once again thanking the students and their families for coming. He offered a final address, “Our motto is ‘we believe in you,’ but most importantly, you must believe in yourself.”