Remembering their comrades and lending a helping hand is what veterans do as noted in their creed, and the Rowan County American Legion Posts are doing just that for another Post in western North Carolina.

Duane Richardson, commander of Post 327 in Faith, shared with members at a Nov. 18 gathering at the Harold B. Jarrett Post 342 and on Nov. 19 with additional area veterans about the devastation that had taken place in the town of Marshall and how their American Legion Post 317, which was located right along the river, had been wiped out.

This post, he said, “was built in 1926, it’s on the national register. In 1944, it became a building for the American Legion, one of the oldest in the state.”

The town had suffered so much destruction that, as of eight days ago, he said at the recent events, “they only had four buildings in the entire town they would allow electricity to be turned back on.”

Richardson posed the question to them as fellow Legionnaires, what can we do here, and then shared about a raffle that is being held to help Post 317 rebuild.

It is a 50/50 raffle, with half going to western Carolina and half to the ticket holder. 

A veterans organization in Texas, he said, is available to go in and work; however, they need $80,000 to repair the foundation. “No one can get in the building until this is taken care of,” he said.

“We take care of one another,” Richardson said; therefore, they have set a local goal of $20,000 to help reach the larger goal and lend a hand in the rebuilding. They have tickets for sale at a cost of $10 for one or $20 for three.

For more information on the raffle and how to purchase tickets, contact him at duanerichardson59@gmail.com or call him at 980-565-5385.

“I believe that God is going to bless us in this and we’re going to double so these guys can get going,” Richardson said.

In addition to the raffle, they are also collecting toys to deliver to Marshall as he said, “they are desperately trying to have some kind of Christmas in this town.”

Those toys would be needed in Marshall by Dec. 3, he added. Those wishing to donate toys may contact him by email or phone as well.