The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate Mark Freiberg of Rockford. Mark’s winning ticket for the rifle raffle was drawn on November 9. Pictured is Mark holding his new Remington Model 783  30-06 with scope and Squadron 287 Commander Keith Tyler.

Mitchell Aron Hanes, 62, of Sand Lake, passed away on September 27, 2018 at home. He was born on November 2, 1955 to Grant and Pride (Brisbin) Hanes in Grant, Michigan. He graduated Tri-County High School in 1974. Mitchell worked as a heavy Equipment Operator until his retirement. He was a member of the Sand Lake Eagles and the Sons of the American Legion. Mitchell is survived by his children: Gabe (Nicole) Hanes of Cedar Springs, Christy (Simon Flores) Hanes of Kalamazoo; two grandsons: Brice Hanes, Taggart Hanes; two brothers: Mark (Kris) Hanes of Howard City, Kevin Hanes of Sand Lake. He was preceded in death by his mother Pride Hanes, son Tagart Brian Hanes, brother Mike Hanes, and sister Shelly Hanes. Graveside services were held on Monday, October 1, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at the Crandell Cemetery, Sand Lake, Michigan. Memorials are suggested to the Heartland Hospice or to the family for funeral expenses. 

The Sons of the American Legion Commander Dominic Merlington

American Legion Commander for the State of Michigan is Brett Holt

The American Legion Post #287 in Cedar Springs is proud to welcome their State Commanders and Presidents to our Post home for the annual Early Bird Dinner. The dinner is held the first week in January to show our appreciation to the members of our Post, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion who have paid their dues by Veterans Day of the previous fall. It is our tradition to invite the leaders of our State to attend this event. In the past this dinner was held to give them red flannels to keep them warm on their Upper Peninsula trip that usually follows right after our dinner. 

This year the American Legion Commander for the State of Michigan is Brett Holt. Brett is from Post #439 in Saginaw, having served in the Navy during the Lebanon/Grenada era. He has been on many committees and held most positions at the Post, District,State and National level. His special project this year is Michigan American Legion Foundation. His theme is MEMO-Communicate to Succeed. 

American Legion Auxiliary President for 2017-2018 is Deanna Cortright

Honorary Junior President is Emma Damouth

The American Legion Auxiliary President for 2017-2018 is Deanna Cortright. She is a member of the Auxiliary Unit #52 in Coldwater. She is a 35-year member, eligible through the service of her father who served in both Korea and Vietnam. She has held all offices and many chairmanships on her way to the office of President. Her special project is Project Boits on the Ground. Her theme is “Dolls and Bears Together for our Veterans.”  

The Sons of the American Legion Commander is from our own Post. The Legion family is proud to have Dominic Merlington representing us as State Detachment Commander. He has been a member of Squadron #287 for over 30 years, joining under the service of his grandfather, Robert Merlington. He is following in the footsteps of his father, Ronny Merlington who served as Detachment Commander in 1986/87. He and his family live in Cedar Springs. His special project is Fisher House Foundation, which provides temporary accommodations for veterans and military personnel and their families while the veteran is receiving medical attention at a VA medical center. His theme is “Sons Will.” 

Our honorary Junior President is Emma Damouth. She is a sophomore at Niles High School. Her favorite subject is art. She also loves music. Her special project is Walking Across Michigan-Keeping our Veterans Warm. She is collecting blankets to give to homeless veterans. Her theme is “Lion King.” 

All of our State officials will be at the dinner to speak about their projects. They will be treated to a warm red flannel welcome and even join in our annual “chicken dance.” The dinner will be held Saturday night at Post #287 at 80 S. Main St., Cedar Springs.    

American Legion Auxiliary Honorary Junior President, Sabrina Townes.

Sons of the American Legion Commander, Carvin Chapman.

American Legion Auxiliary President, Ellen Jackson.

American Legion Commander for Michigan, Larry Money.

The American Legion Post #287 in Cedar Springs is proud to welcome the State Commanders and Presidents to our home for the annual Early Bird Dinner. The dinner is held the first week in January to show our appreciation to the members of our Post, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion who have paid their dues by Veterans Day of the previous fall.  It is our tradition to invite the leaders of our state to attend this event. It is also our tradition to give them each a set of Red Flannels. In the past it was given to prepare them for the Upper Peninsula trip which usually follows directly after our dinner, in an attempt to keep them warm during the cold and often snowy conditions of the UP in January.

This year the American Legion Commander for the State of Michigan is Larry Money. He was elected and installed as Commander at the 2016 Annual Summer Convention held in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, June 23-26. Larry is from Post #51 in Buchanan Michigan. He has worked tirelessly for the cause of veterans in this state, holding many offices and chairmanships along the way, including membership and Americanism. He has served as Post Commander, District Commander, and Department vice Commander. Commander Money is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1969-1976 in the 12^th Special Forces Group. He has been a member of the Buchannan Post for 38 continuous years. He and his wife Barb have three sons and three daughters. At our dinner, Commander Money will be speaking about his special project Operation Comfort Warriors and bringing updates on Legion activities this year. We welcome Larry to our Post.

The American Legion Auxiliary President for 2016-2017 is Ellen Jackson. She was also elected at the State Convention this summer. She is a member of Walter Fraser Unit #108 in Oxford, Michigan. She has held many offices and chairmanships on her way to the office of President. She has been busy this year traveling around our State visiting the many Districts and Posts. Her theme for this year is “Hats Off For Veterans”. Her special project is The Michigan Wounded and Returning Warrior Program. Ellen has been married to her husband PDC Carnie, a Viet Nam era veteran, for ten years. They have three children and four grandchildren. Welcome to Ellen and Carnie to our Post.

The Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Michigan is proud to bring Carvin Chapman to our Post as the Commander for the State of Michigan for 2016-20217. He is a member of the Chief Pontiac Post #377 Sons of the American Legion Squadron and has served there for nearly 30 years. He says that he is 100 percent for veterans and is striving for 100 percent membership this year. He has been Squadron Commander, 18^th District Commander, and Zone Commander. He also serves as a VA Rep in Detroit. His Special project is Operation Comfort Warriors, a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel. He has been married to his wife Kathy for 32 years, has two sons, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. We are looking forward to spending time with Carvin “Huey” and Kathy.

We are also proud to have with us from the Department of Michigan, American Legion Auxiliary Honorary Junior President, Sabrina Townes. She is from our own Unit and area, being a member of Glen Hill Unit #287 here in Cedar Springs since 2001.  Sabrina’s theme this year is Tinkerbell.  She and her Department Junior officers are spreading their “pixie dust” around the State bringing happiness and awareness to veterans and the American Legion Family. Honorary Junior President Sabrina’s special project this year is Stiggy’s Dogs. This is a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs from shelters and with the help of correctional facilities trains them for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This is done at no cost to the veteran. Stiggyy’s Dogs is based in Michigan and is for Michigan veterans. We are very proud of Sabrina and the project she has chosen.

The dinner will be held Saturday night at the Post at 80 S. Main St. in Cedar Springs.

The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate Burdette Helenius of Cedar Springs. Burdette’s winning ticket for the Rifle Raffle was drawn on November 12.  Pictured is Burdette holding his new Remington 7mm Mag and Squadron 287 Commander Dominic Merlington.

The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate Andrew Stanley of Cedar Springs. Andrew’s winning ticket for the annual Rifle Raffle was drawn on November 8 at Post 287.

Pictured are SAL 1st Vice Commander Keith Tyler, Andrew Stanley holding his new Remington 30-06, and SAL Commander Dominic Merlington.

Residents gathered at cemeteries and other locales Monday to remember those who died in the service of our country, and all those that have made our freedom possible.

The American Legion Glen Hill Post #287 held services at Elmwood, Solon, and East Nelson Cemeteries and the Cedar Springs Veterans Park. Assisting with the service was the American Legion  Honor Guard, the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts.

Services were also held in Algoma Township, Sand Lake and Pierson. The Cedar Springs Historical Society held their annual cemetery walk in Elmwood Cemetery on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

by LoraLee Nauta

The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion and the Auxiliary teamed together to purchase dictionaries for every third grade student. We all felt it was important to give back to our community and our students. They are the future of our country, and we wanted to help anyway we can as an American Legion Family. We delivered approximately 262 books to the Beach Elementary on Wednesday, March 13, 2014.

Mr. Ken See, the principle, was very happy to have this donation. Along with Mr. See, we had 10 students: Eli Malon, Leah Ramsey, Aricia Tompkins, Brady Mason (who is also a Squadron 287 member), Darrien Kolk, Molly Bentley, MacKayla Cazier, Haley Castle (Auxiliary 287 junior), Taylee Self, and Bryce Skelonce. We also had members of our Glen Hill Post Family with us: MaryAnne Yuncker, Past Department President & Unit Education Chairmen; Post Commander Bill Gregones; Keith Tyler, Squadron 287 member and Department Children & Youth Committeeman; and LoraLee Nauta, Auxiliary President.

This book is not only a dictionary, it has the Periodic Table, details about the American Flag, the United States Constitution, a section on all the United States Presidents, the fifty states, plus several more items. We were honored to present these books to the students.

It’s important to the Glen Hill Family to give back to our community and our schools. The Glen Hill Post family is very involved with the veterans, but also many other programs. Education is one of our programs we feel strongly about. These students are the future, and these books should help the students with their studies and give them information that will help guide them.

Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs, congratulates Ernie Adams, of Cedar Springs. Ernie’s winning ticket for our annual Rifle raffle was drawn on November 9. Pictured are SAL Commander Dominic Merlington, Ernie Adams holding his new Savage 270, and SAL member Keith Tyler.

The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate John Twork of Holton, MI.  John’s winning ticket for our annual Rifle Raffle was drawn on November 12.  Pictured are John Twork and SAL Commander Dominic Merlington.