It’s been 245 years since the first Independence Day, and for 102 of those years the Paul E. Bolding Post 7 of the American Legion has worked to unite veterans with the community, and with each other.
"I know these guys feel like I do, I wouldn't want to go through some of the things I went through, but I am proud I went through it," said Legion member Ray Shubert. "I'm very proud of it today."
Shubert and fellow members Alvin Clifton, George Smith Sr., and Johnny Varner sat down with AccessWDUN to talk about Post 7's history as the Independence Day holiday approaches.
The men also talked about their service, including getting drafted and volunteering for service.
"I volunteered and went to an induction center, had my physical and all, and they gave me a choice whether I wanted to go or not," said Smith, who fought with the Air Force in Vietnam before volunteering for the Army. "That was because when I was six I had polio and had to learn to walk again. They told me because of that, they could put me down 4-F (medically unable) and I wouldn't have to go. I told them, 'No, I want to go. I volunteered for this.'"
The Legion members discussed how they've had lower numbers as the years progress, with less younger veterans joining the Legion, but also less veterans in general.
"It's all volunteer army now, or volunteer service," said Shubert, who served "two years and one day" in the Army during the Korean conflict. "Back in those days, I knew when I got out of school about the time where I was going. We all knew. You couldn't get a job. It was right at the draft age, in the early 50s."
"It was like that way until the 60s," said Smith.
"'73 I think it was they did away with the draft," said Clifton, who was drafted. Clifton volunteered following his draft service in Vietnam and served 21 years in the Army.
Just under 500 veterans are members of the Post today, continuing the traditions of Independence Day fireworks and a Memorial Day Parade, along with Veteran’s Day ceremonies, local awards, and community-wide events, like bingo.
The Post, named after a fallen Hall County World War I soldier, organized in August of 1919 and is one of the oldest in the state, hence it’s low number, and the first in Hall County. The Legion settled in its Riverside Drive home in 1947, rebuilding after a devastating fire in 1983. The Pavilion, which is on the register of historic places, was built in 1902 and restored in 2013.
One of the many traditions is the fireworks display on Independence Day. Ray Shubert, a member since the 1960s, remembers taking his two sons to the fireworks when they were young.
"I've got two sons, the oldest one is 62 and the other one 58, I brought them out here to the fireworks when they were this high," Shubert said, gesturing at about table-height. "We had to change from out here (at the Legion) and go out to Laurel Park because we didn't have enough room."
The celebration at Laurel Park this year takes place on Saturday, July 3. The park opens at 9 a.m., and it is $10 per car. Fireworks begin at dusk.
Another favorite moment was when the Post turned 100, and the Gold Star Memorial Wall visited the post at the same time. Gold Star Mothers is the term for mothers who lose a child in action.
The Legion is not just for veterans, though. The facility, including its historic pavilion, can be rented by community members for events, and the public is welcome to attend the annual fireworks, weekly bingo night, dances, and fairs held throughout the year.
The Legion and Ladies Auxillary also offers ROTC awards and scholarships to high school seniors. The ROTC awards are given to two cadets each at Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville and East Hall high schools.
There's also the Boy's and Girl's State Programs. Ninth District Commander Johnny Varner said that's a nationwide program they participate in.
"The Boy's State program... we do that at the end of the year in May, once they graduate," said Varner. "It's actually held at Riverside Academy, and that's the statewide, all the Boy's State programs come through here."
There's also a Constitution themed oratorical contest every February.
