United We Stand

Written By: Chip Snyder | Issue: May 2024 | Photograph By: Greg Clarkson

Join the Highlands American Legion Post 370 for their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Plaza across from the Highlands Police Department on May 27 at 10:00 AM. This moving ceremony is a fitting tribute honoring fallen veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Highlands American Legion Post 370 exemplifies a dedication to supporting veterans through its proactive innovative programs that provide not just assistance but a sense of community and belonging crucial for veteran’s well-being.

The Plateau Warriors Program although independent of the local American Legion Post, was organized by members Ed McCloskey, Bill Huff, and first responder Davis Picklesimer and staffed by many of the members of the local American Legion. The “Battle Buddies” group went through a training program conducted by an expert from the veteran suicide prevention group in Asheville.

Tom Neal, CEO of the Highlands Cashiers Hospital has played an important role in funding, encouraging, and providing important resources for the Battle Buddies Plateau Warriors team. The program receives referrals from the hospital’s social worker and has recently met with an army medic who experienced numerous traumatic events during his tour in Vietnam. It was an honor for the local veterans to meet with this gentleman to hear his story and to share mutual military experiences.

Highlands Post 370 sponsors a program called Visit-A-Vet. This committee started by Chip Snyder and Jim Grantham has a different mission from Plateau Warriors in that it is an ongoing visitation program at the Chestnut Hill and Eckerd Living Center facilities. These meetings tend to build relationships with the resident veterans living at the facilities and typically take place weekly.

In addition to the visitation efforts, the Visit-A-Vet committee has organized a Flag Day ceremony, a car show with the help of Highlands Motoring Festival members, a trip to a Post meeting, and the presentation of patriotic quilts provided by Kate Shaw and the Mountain Valley Quilters organization. More events like this are planned for this year with the help of the Eckerd‘s Living Center Activities Director Stephanie McMahan.

In addition to these specialized programs, the local American Legion Post organizes numerous ceremonies and events honoring past and present veterans. In addition to this Memorial Day ceremony, they include four Chaplains Service, Vietnam Veterans Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day, Poppies Fundraiser, Support of the Motoring Festival, American Legion North Carolina Boys and Girls State, supporting Wreaths Across America Activities, participation in the Highlands Christmas Parade, and numerous local veterans-oriented organizations and charities.

The Highlands American Legion Post 370 works hard to support the Legion’s national mission to, “enhance the well-being of American veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”

If you are interested in supporting the American Legion or veterans causes in the Highlands area, please email [email protected] for more information.