SMETHPORT — As the national American Legion marks its 100th anniversary of assisting veterans and their families and sponsoring local community events, such as the McKean-Cameron Bi-County American Legion’s parade Monday in Smethport, certainly not to be overlooked are the significant contributions of the Legion’s family of organizations such as the auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders.

With a current membership of approximately 800,000 volunteer members in 9,500 communities, making it the world’s largest group dedicated to veteran service for women, the American Legion Auxiliary counts Girls State, Girls Nation, poppy program and the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation program among its services, as well as assisting veterans and their families, while adhering to its motto: “Service Not Self.”

The American Legion Auxiliary of Bucktail Post #138 in Smethport, Department of Pennsylvania, was chartered on December 4, 1922, making it perhaps among the earliest units of the national American Legion Auxiliary, which was founded in 1919.

“We cooperate with the post in all activities,” said Helen Cole, a past-president who has held other offices during her membership, which spans more than 50 years.

For approximately 50 years Cole has volunteered at Veterans Day dinners at the post.

As a fundraiser, auxiliary members collect donations for poppies, with all the money benefiting veterans and military families.

Funds are also raised in support of American Legion Baseball.

Additionally, the auxiliary sponsors high school girls entering their senior year who have been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Girls’ State, a week-long non-partisan program where the participants develop leadership skills, while learning about the governmental process.

Andy Chapman organized the Sons of the American Legion Bucktail Squadron #138, Detachment of Pennsylvania, which was chartered May 5, 1994.

The Sons are males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the nation’s military.

According to the national American Legion, the Sons’ squadrons are paired with a local American Legion post, but they retain the flexibility in deciding their services to the community and planning activities to meet their needs.

In Smethport, the Sons sponsored a motorcycle Ride of Pride that escorted the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall exhibition vehicle from the McKean County line to Smethport’s Hamlin Lake Park where the Wall was displayed June 1-5, 2006. This event was part of the Moving Wall Arrival Ceremony, which also included the March of Honor once the escort arrived in town, reported Gerry Ford, who was squadron commander at the time.

The Sons, with support of the McKean County American Legion Riders, have also sponsored the annual Ride of Pride that remembers the arrival of the Wall.

In another cooperative activity, Squadron #138 and the McKean County American Legion Riders initiated the project that placed in Hamlin Lake Park a commemorative memorial marker listing the names of McKean service personnel who died in the Vietnam War. The memorial is placed at the apex of the original site of the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall.

Now the Son’s financial officer, Ford told The Era that squadron members maintain two cemeteries: the Farmers Valley Cemetery for 18 years and the Goodwin Cemetery, also in the valley, where there are 12 graves of veterans who died before 1900.

Two Sons of the American Legion are members of the Post #138’s board of directors.

Several members of Bucktail Post #138 belong to the McKean County Chapter of the American Legion Riders, which is sponsored by the John Berg Memorial Post #976 Crosby American Legion. Members must have a close family relative who has served in the military. “Our main purpose is to participate in parades and spearhead projects which honor our veterans and encourage our youth to understand and appreciate the ways in which veterans served to secure our freedom,” said Cheryl Razey, chapter secretary and chaplain of the Pennsylvania American Legion Riders.

In 2013, this chapter raised funds to send two veterans on “Honor Flight Philadelphia,” a program that allowed World War II veterans to tour the many memorials in Washington, DC. Two years later, after several months of research, the chapter was successful in having McKean County declared a Purple Heart County, honoring veterans from all wars who have been wounded in action and received the Purple Heart.

Legion Riders can be seen in Smethport’s Memorial Day parade as they carry American, POW/MIA, service and other flags, and sponsor floats which carry descendants of Purple Heart recipients.

In October, Bank Street in Smethport becomes the site of the Riders’ Haunted Tunnel Trunk or Treat for Halloween. During the Christmas season, members assist the Bucktail Post #138 American Legion Auxiliary at Breakfast with Santa. Following the breakfast, Riders escort Santa to Sena Kean Manor and Lakeview Senior Care and Living Center where they give specially designed shirts to each of the resident veterans, plus a bag of goodies to all residents.

During the fall and winter, members host monthly Bingo nights at Sena Kean Manor.

Twice a year, the Riders conduct a roadside cleanup along a two-mile stretch of Route 46.