Top 16 marksmen advance to Legion air rifle finals
The Colchester, Vt., Cannons often participate in veterans-related events. This year, they'll send 20 care packages to military members serving overseas.
Each year, members of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 91's baseball team, the Colchester, Vt., Cannons, participate in several events working with veterans. During this year's holiday season, the team will distribute presents to patients at the White River Junction VA Medical Center.
But this year, the team - which won the 2009 Legion state championship - added something different to its activities.
"One of the parents had the idea to put together care packages for troops overseas," said Cannons coach Jeff Mongeon, a member and former officer of Squadron 91. "Every year we have a fall and spring recruitment meeting for the team, and I e-mailed all the kids and asked them to collect items and bring them to the meeting."
A parent volunteered to organize the collections and arrange the shipments. "Through this process, the prospective players, coaches and manager were given the opportunity to apply the teachings of The American Legion Baseball program for the benefit of those defending our great nation," Mongeon said.
The effort was a big enough success that 20 care packages will be sent overseas. "To be honest, I really didn't have to do a whole lot," Mongeon said. "The parent put it together, I sent out the e-mail, and the kids did the rest."
The players included a yearbook of the 2009 season in the parcels sent overseas. "They were hoping there could be a connection between themselves and the soldiers," Mongeon said.
The team plans to collect items again at its spring meeting in March to assemble more care packages.
Emma Thompson takes a moment to concentrate before aiming at her target during the sport shooting competition at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Jaycie Hoenig chats with Emma Thompson at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Ida Jewell, incoming chief range officer, talks with a competitor at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Precision shooters take aim at The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Garrett Jones from Arizona relazes after finishing shooting at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Elizabeth "Ibby" Lorentz hugs her father and coach Chris as her mother Jeannie looks on at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Elizabeth Bark from Maryland reacts to finding out she broke a national record at the Junior Shooting Sports competition at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett hands out pins at a pizza party for the competitors at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
American Legion Auxiliary President Sharon Conatser hands out pins to competitors at the Elegante Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Emily Fitzgerald and Kristen Hemphill talk to fellow competitors during a pizza party at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Shauntae Daily from Nebraska laughs as her friends dance at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Jonna Warnken from Montana, left, and Mark Mark Amdahl from New Mexico dance at a party for the competitors at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Shauntae Daily and Ibby Lorentz dance at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
Jimmy Ellefson from Iowa talks with fellow competitors at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado Friday July 22, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth.
