Legionnaires gather for annual breakfast at Rosburg Hall

Saturday was a great way to enjoy a delicious breakfast and support the military men and women who protect our freedoms. For over 20 years, folks bring their family and friends to the annual American Legion Deep River Post #111 Memorial Day Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at their new location, the Rosburg Community Hall in Rosburg.

According to Legion member Dale Rose, The Deep River post building was sold and the 60-plus paying members moved to the new location.

All the legion members volunteer their services. Many local high school teenagers volunteer their community service and get school credit.

Ken Elliott, the commander of the post was the chef of the day cooking eggs, sausages, and ham while his cousin ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran Doug Meyer cooked the pancakes. The menu included all you can eat pancakes with a side of ham or sausage and eggs fixed the way you like them, with coffee, orange juice or milk.

The concern regarding the United States' nonappearance from the beginning of World War I and the lack of preparedness of its army and navy that was inspired by a letter from reader E. D. Cook, magazine editor Arthur Sullivant Hoffman and writer Stephen Allan Reynolds lobbied the United States government to strengthen the military. They subsequently founded The American Legion in February 1915. They held a parade in New York City for readiness and made a film to prepare officers that included Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Elihu Root, Henry L Stimson, and other notable men. When war was declared by the United States in 1917 the Legion had raised two regiments of air mechanics.