AmVets

18—The Sentinel

AMERICAN VETERANS (AMVETS)

ABOVE: The sign on the outside of the Thompsontown post of AMVETS is shown. BELOW: Delaware Creek runs just outside the Thompsontown AMVETS post, allowing locals to come fish beneath the foot bridge between the building and the parking lot.

Photos by KIER HARRIS

Thompsontown post aims to support vets, be active in community

By KIER HARRIS

Post 122 of the nationwide veterans organization American Veterans, commonly known as AMVETS, is situated in Thompsontown on the Delaware Creek. In fact, you have to walk over the creek on a footbridge to reach the front door.

The creekside locale of this particular post adds to its unique charm: The post hosts an annual trout derby for local youth, as the perennially dangling lures snagged on what seemed like all the hardest-to-reach areas around the creekside would suggest.

The organization at large has a proud history of assisting veterans and sponsoring numerous programs to do just that.

AMVETS began as an organization to help veterans who were returning from war to receive the benefits that were due to them from the government. When the returning veterans interested in membership started to number in the millions, it became apparent that a national organization needed to be formed. The organization even became the first veterans’ organization to be chartered by Congress. AMVETS is broken down into posts, and one of them resides in our very own Thompsontown.

Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who is currently serving or has honorably served. The organization 23 South Dorcas Street Lewistown, PA 17044 FAFCU@FIRSTAREAFCU.COM www.firstareafcu.com

Clockwise from top: People fish in Delaware Creek from the foot bridge outside the Thompsontown AMVETS post; The foot bridge leads from the building to the parking lot, which is large enough for the community to use as a free parking lot, which is often taken advantage of by commuters; the plaque at the base of the flagpole, installed in 1999, serves as a dedication to area veterans.

internally elects officers at a variety of regional levels. At the AMVETS national convention held each year, these representatives deliberate on issues affecting veterans and the organization.

AMVETS has been directly involved in public-policy related to defense, homeless veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs and a variety of other issues pertaining to the concerns of our veterans. Members of the organization also devote time to hospitalized veterans in an effort to lighten their spirits.

The organization also funds scholarships for high school seniors and does what it can locally to give back to the communities where its posts are located.

Post 122 holds the aforementioned annual Trout Derby for kids and adults with disabilities. In addition, this event helps the post to conserve and stock the local stream. The Juniata Trout Club and the Lost Creek Trout club stock brown and rainbow trout at the beginning of the season.

The success of the project can be measured by the healthy, gorgeous stream, and the scores of happy children each trout season.