By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Northborough – The American Legion Charter for Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234, was granted Nov. 1, 1919 and plans are in full swing to commemorate its 100th birthday with a daylong party Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Coincidentally, the American Legion is also celebrating 100 years this fall, having received its charter from Congress Sept. 16, 1919.
Bill Callaghan, Vincent F. Picard Post 234 member, serves on the Celebration Committee. Festivities include an open house from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; a Post Appreciation Dinner from 5 – 6 p.m.; and an evening social with local band Torn & Frayed from 8 p.m. to midnight.
“Our goal for the open house is for it to be family-oriented,” Callaghan explained. “We are hoping to have a number of military vehicles. We are hoping for the Boy Scouts to do line control for us to help people get in line and getting in and on the various vehicles. We are also hoping that the Girl Scouts will do some face painting and different things that are family oriented.”
He also said that they will serve hamburgers, hot dogs and coffee and a cash bar and non-alcoholic drinks will be available during this time frame.
Tours of the facility will take place and a number of other veteran support organizations have been invited to share their materials.
“We want all of these other organizations that have found a need that we don’t fill and have them hand out their literature,” Callaghan noted. “There is a military group that is into preservation and they have a lot of World War I stuff and we’d like to have that on display.”
The Post Appreciation Dinner will feature pasta and chicken and is free to members of the Post and $8 for guests and non-members. RSVP by Saturday, Oct. 26. Raffle prizes will also be part of the event, with proceeds supporting the post.
“One of the issues that we are recognizing is that veterans do not join organizations,” Callaghan stated. “We have very few young veterans. We just have to reach out to them and get them involved. We can help and support them and each other.”
For more information about the Vincent F. Picard Post 234 and to RSVP for the dinner, contact Bill Callaghan at [email protected] or 508-393-2212.