Help show appreciation for the 1161st

The purpose of this letter to the editor is to request everybody’s help in displaying our appreciation to the members of the U.S. Army National Guard 1161st Transportation Company. In case you hadn’t heard, our government has made the decision there is no longer a need for the 1161st so it is being disbanded. The soldiers and equipment will either be transferred to another unit or surplused out. March 4-6, 2016 marks the last time for the 1161st Transportation Company to have a weekend drill in Ephrata, or anywhere.

We of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, Art Semro Post and Unit 28 wish to try to ensure the men and women of the 1161st know how much we appreciate them and wish them the very best wherever the future takes them. So, we are sponsoring a parade on March 5, 2016 to enable the entire community, and surrounding communities, to gather and honor these great men and women who have done so very much for us and our country.

The soldiers will be the only people in the parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. The plan is for them to ride in their vehicles from the Courthouse to the Armory while we all line every inch of the parade route with people holding banners, signs, flags etc. indicating their appreciation and pride in these brave young men and women.

We also ask the marquees/sign boards/etcetera in the local area, Ephrata especially, display words of thanks and good wishes.

The signage and parade is a symbolic way to tell our soldiers we support them wherever and however they serve. We encourage your participation in letting our soldiers of the 1161st Transportation Company know how glad we are that they have been such a positive presence in our community and our nation. Please contact Mike or Jane Montaney at 509-754-4889 with any questions concerning this event and to let us know you’ll be involved.

Jane Montaney

Ephrata