Our New Flagpole is Fianally in Place!
On Tuesday, March 25th our "long awaited" flagpole was erected!
It's our turn once again to "Support Our Troops"
As a result of our successful Annual Cornhole Tournament on the 8th of March, 2025, we were able to "surprise" Barbara Whitehead and Support Our Troops (SOT) on March 19th with a check for $3,786 to defray the postage costs associated with the thousands of care packages that they send to our deployed soldiers.
Time to Install Flagpole at New Post Location
On Saturday, March 15th, Commander Taylor and 1st Vice Commander Roberson met at the new Post location to dig, mix and install the pole "sleeve" for our new flagpole.
Annual Fundraising Cornhole Tournament for "Support Our Troops"
On Saturday, March 8th @ 10am our Annual Fundraising Cornhole Tournament began with a prayer by our "interim" Chaplain, Greg Roberson, followed by the National Anthem, Pledge to the Flag and some "housekeeping" announcements. After that all heck broke loose and THE FUN BEGAN! All the Post 289 vounteers gathered for a pix after the trophy presentation.
Publicity for the Annual Fundraising Cornhole Tournament
On Tuesday, February 18th, WITN TV channel 7's ECU @ Three program provided us visability to promote our "Support Our Trooops" fundraising Cornhole Tournament coming up on March 8th. Thank you to the station and especially Baileigh Bockover for hosting - she is FANTASTIC!.
Here's a link ( https://www.witn.com/.../ayden-american-legion-post-289.../ ) for a video of the segment:
Another S&D Gun Show with Its Many Generous Patrons
Ed Briones (right), our Events Chairman and "RAFFLE CZAR" along with fellow AL Member & sidekick John Urton, man the table to raise scholarship money for a deserving graduating senior whose a Jr ROTC Cadet at the Ayden-Grifton H.S.!
P.S. The "nifty" poster was the creation of John's wite, Kathy, who we thank profusely!
JT (Commander) Promoting Our "Be the One" Mission.
Sept 17-22, 2024
As part of The American Legion "Be The One" mission to end veteran suicide, we have joined forces with Columbia University to develop training for those who want to learn more about interacting and responding with veterans who may be in crisis. We encourage EVERYONE to take this training, which will be available virtually, and share the training with their communities.
Support Our Troops (SOT) Ayden, NC Distribution
September 5, 2024
Barbara Whitehead was recognized and presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Alice Keene, Pitt County Recreation Projects Coordinator for Governor Roy Cooper. Alice worked with a committee of county staff and non-profit leaders to select citizens nominated for the award, which is bestowed upon North Carolina's most dedicated servant citizens, businesses and organizations
After the award ceremony, everyone enjoyed the generosity of Mission BBQ who provided lunch for everyone!
JT & Summer, new catering manager for Mission BBQ
FOOD FRENZY!
8 soldiers from Fort Liberty's (Bragg) 8th psychoiogical group whose job is to infiltrate & introduce propaganda into enemy lines AND 10 or so volunteers gather for group photo before the troops head back to the base.
P.S. Only the Chaplain was in uniform because the unit came "dressed" to WORK for SOT.
The S&D Gun Shows with Its Many Generous Veterans
Ed Briones, our Events Chairman and "RAFFLE CZAR", mans the table for SOT!
Attendees at the Gun Show are SUPER GENEROUS!!
American Legion NC Victory Post 289 Works on Their Flags...
Every year, actually twice a year, our Post members along with the Jr. ROTC cadets from Ayden-Grifton H.S. place flags on all the Veteran graves at the Ayden Town and Northeast cemeteries. Of course, after Memorial and Veterans Day festivities are over, the flags have to be retrieved, returned to the Post, cleaned, bundled and stored away for the next Veteran holiday. We have 760 flags of which
One of our BEST vendor partners is Sam's Club in Winterville...member response is PROOF!
The Post had a "donation" table set up outside the entrance on the 4th of July 
; yes, in the HEAT!. Hundreds of members came by, stopped, talked and, yes, GENEROUSLY donated (see next pix) to our cause for Support our Troops of Ayden.
https://www.facebook.com/NCP4P/
Sam's Club members are SUPER GENEROUS!!
What a pleasure it is to meet with & especially today (26 June 2024) to present a check for $1,136 from the Post's fundraising efforts of Apr & May.
At SOT facility on Lee St n Ayden. Pictured from left to right: Jerry Cox - Adjutant/Finance, Jerry "JT" Taylor - Commander, Barbara Whitehead, Greg Roberson - 1st Vice Commander.
An annual opportunity for Post 289 is placing flags on all the veteran graves at the Ayden Town and Northeast Cemeteries. More pix to come...
Our flag lowered to half staff in memory of our fallen.
Post 289 members place cemetery Flags with help from Ayden-Grifton H.S. Jr ROTC led by Sgt. Moore.
Post 289 members place cemetery Flags with help from Ayden-Grifton H.S. Jr ROTC led by Sgt. Moore.
Post 289 members place cemetery Flags with help from Ayden-Grifton H.S. Jr ROTC led by Sgt. Moore.
Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside to honor military service members who died fighting in a war. This year was no exception!
Unfortunately the weather was an issue in 2024 and the ceremonies had to be moved from the Greenville Town Common to River Park North..
Here we see MOC Scott Barker starting the festivities.
National Anthem by Van Mitchell.
Mike Money & Scout Troops 9046 & 1829 on the proper way to retire a flag.
Ayden-Grifton H.S. Jr ROTC on how to fold the Flag and what each fold means.