Legionnaires host golf tourney

Photos by Bonnie Heater (Above) Beverly Funderburg, (left), a World War II U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Post 71 member, and Betty Carter, an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 71 member, help out at the registration table for the American Legion Post 71 first golf scramble held Oct. 2 at Gordon Lakes Golf Courses. Members of the Jesse C. Lynch Memorial American Legion Post 71 sponsored its first golf tournament Oct. 2 at Gordon Lakes Golf Course. The four-person golf scramble drew 40 golfers.

The purpose of the tournament was to raise funds to build a new post, according to Art Biggs, American Legion Post 71 second vice commander. “We are about half way to our goal which is $800,000,” Briggs said.

“Our members have been working on this [new building] project for about five years,” he added. Briggs is also the post’s fundraiser and building committee chairperson.

(Left) Art Biggs prepares to tee off. Jesse C. Lynch Memorial American Post 71, located on East Spring Grove Avenue in downtown North Augusta, S.C., has been a part of the area’s community life since 1932. It has been headquartered in its present one-story, concrete block building since 1948.

“We need a new building, said Jimmy Sharpe, the post adjunct.“The post is much too small now for the more than 400 members. Its deteriorated condition also makes it unsuitable and too costly to renovate.”

According to the post’s information pamphlet, the bathrooms are too small to allow easy access for handicapped and elderly members and their guests. The current post building seats only 100 people, so it is impossible for the entire post membership to use it at the same time.

“We plan to build on the current site,” Biggs explained. “Our members and the citizens of North Augusta want us to stay,” he added.

(Left) Army’s 447th Signal Battalion’s player #11 leaps and grabs Tiffany Johnson’s flag (right), a member of the Air Force 31st Intelligence Squadron, during the 6 p.m. game held Oct. 1 at the soccer field near the Gordon Club. (Right) Johnson attempts to stop 447th Signal Battalion’s quarterback from advancing on the field. Army’s 447th Signal Battalion won the game 7-6. In the 7 p.m. game women of Company E, 369th Signal Battalion beat Navy 13-0. Members of the post help to maintain the Wade Hampton Veterans Park in North Augusta.They devote countless hours to make sure veterans at both area VA hospitals are not forgotten by providing many services to improve their lives.

In August the post members sent a contingent headed by Bob Ramsey, the post commander, to Fort Gordon to show support for the deploying Soldiers of the 35th Signal Brigade. As each Soldier boarded the buses at the post they were thanked for their service by the Legionnaires.

Photos by Bonnie Heater Post 71 members also conduct flag education and American history sessions in area schools.In addition, they visit Soldiers at basic training battalions at Fort Jackson, S.C., where they sharing their military experiences and talk to Families of graduating Soldiers.

The golf tournament netted more than $3,300 after expenses, according to Biggs. “We appreciate the support we received from Fort Gordon for our tournament,” Biggs said.

Anthony English, Reginald Claxton, Ryan McCook and Wendell McCook won the four-person golf scramble with a score of 58.

Nancy Evans won the Longest Drive on Island #5 for the women and Chris McCoy won it for the men.

Mike Shirah won Closest to the Pin on Lake #4. Awards and prizes were presented at the golf course pavilion following the tournament.

Any honorable discharged veteran can join the American Legion, according to Biggs. “New members are always welcome,” Biggs added.

For more information about the post or membership call Art Biggs at (803) 341-9888 or Bob Ramsey at (803) 819-9502. To make a donation to help build the new post make checks or money orders out to the American Legion Post 71 and mail them to P.O. Box 6036, Attention: Art Biggs, North Augusta, S.C. 29861-6036.