American Legion plans Annandale activities for Veterans Day

American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976 will commemorate Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11, with two ceremonies in Annandale, reports the post’s service officer, Marv Rodney.

At 9 a.m. next Thursday, members of the post will conduct a short ceremony at the cemetery behind the Annandale United Methodist Church on Columbia Pike and place flags on the graves of veterans. Church members and relatives of those buried there will also take part. “It’s a very patriotic and intimate ceremony,” Rodney says.

At 11 a.m. (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month), legion members will conduct a 15 to 20-minute ceremony at the Annandale Island Cannon on Columbia Pike at the Backlick Road intersection (between Jiffy Lube and Fuddruckers). The guest speaker will be Col. Ilean Keltz, chief, Military Personnel Structure and Plans Division, ODCS Army G1. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to Post 1976’s home at 4206 Daniels Ave. for light refreshments and comradeship.

The 1905 cannon was used in the nation’s Mexican campaign against Pancho Villa. American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976 maintains the cannon as a reminder of the sacrifices of veterans in protecting freedom around the world.