The normal laughter over food, drink and friends dissipated as each name of a deceased legionnaire or auxiliary member was read. Cheers intermittently mixed with the somber silent moments when names of those still living were called.
Friends and family joined members of American Legion Post 377 on Mary Sue Road in Independence Township for the annual Past Commanders/Past Presidents Recognition Dinner and War Bonnet Presentation on Nov. 5.
Post 377, known as Chief Pontiac, hosted several guests from other legion posts across Michigan in the only ceremony of its kind, where the new post commander and president and department of Michigan commander and president received war bonnets and head pieces.
‘The past department commanders and presidents bring their headdresses. We are the only post in the national chain who does this,? said Post President Robin Puckett. ‘We issue the headdress because we are the Chief Pontiac Post and present it as an honor to the state commander and state president each year.?
‘It’s one of the heights of any commander’s term to receive his war bonnet,? said Department Commander of Michigan John Skinner after dinner.
According to Ivy Lee Reinhardt, an auxiliary member of Post 377, the presentation of the Pawnee War Bonnet has occurred since 1960. Originally, the legion purchased the bonnets from upstate New York. In a written statement, Reinhardt stated the bonnets have been ordered from Oklahoma since 1982.
As with most legion events, remainders of the sacrifice of those living and dead who served in the military were abound at the dinner.
Prior to dinner, Judge Advocate for the 18th District Carnie Jackson read a tribute to the MIA’s and POW’s who never returned from service. In the corner of the post, a POW/MIA Remembrance Table was set up for the occasion representing five branches of the armed services. Several items honoring the sacrifice of those lost in combat and their families who still struggle with the loss were on the table.
After dinner, several legionnaires, auxiliary members, and junior auxiliary members addressed the crowd with current United States military operations not far from their thoughts.
‘Honoring veterans is what we’re all about? We have to make them feel welcome when they come home and show them what they were doing was right,? said National Vice Commander Bill Coffey. ‘We must remember (a lot of those fighting) were guardsmen and they or their families were not prepared.?
Skinner recalled touring a veterans? hospital noting the advances in prosthesis development, but lamenting about the limitations of compensation.
‘Keep in mind as we go on with daily business, the price we pay to fight a battle overseas is only part of the cost. The rest of the price, the wounded pay when we return. The general public forgets the total cost of conflict,? said Skinner. ‘None of us are being shot at in our own backyard and to me that means an awful lot.?
In addition to the bonnet presentations, six people consisting of legionnaires and auxiliary members? contribution to the country and community were recognized through proclamations sent by Pontiac Mayor Willie Payne. Hank Wiltfang, Sr; Charles Yates; Leroy Puckett; Bobbie Yates; Leona Puckett and Joe Puckett all received proclamations.
Towards the end of the night, all the former presidents and commanders of Post 377 and department commanders and presidents present gathered in a procession throughout the room wearing their war bonnets and head pieces.