by Lisa Schauer
“Mount up!” former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Edward Bloxom Daugherty III commanded his audience as he took the podium for the annual Veterans Day program at Alderton-Dawson American Legion Post 60 on Wednesday, November 11.
“This country was settled on horseback,” said Daugherty, of Berkeley Springs, known as “Blox” at the Legion, where he is a member.
Dressed in full regalia reenacting U.S. Calvary history, Daugherty spoke on the important role of horses in military operations, from the Revolutionary War, the Spanish-American War and Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders,” WWI, and through the modern ceremonial era.
Native to the Delmarva Peninsula, Blox grew up around standardbred horses at harness race tracks and is a member of the U.S. Calvary Association.
His father, Ed Jr., was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Calvary with the 10th Mountain Division.
A self-effacing veteran, Blox failed to mention his own illustrious military career during his lengthy remarks from the podium at the Legion.
Former USN Lt. Daughtery was a shipboard officer on the USS Kirk, he told The Morgan Messenger.
A Knox-class destroyer escort, the Kirk was reclassified as a frigate during Daughtery’s service from 1971to 1977.
The Kirk’s primary mission of anti-submarine warfare remained unchanged.
“We had bean soup every Wednesday on the ship,” Daughtery said enthusiastically while in line for lunch after his speech.
Lunch was prepared and served by the ladies of the local American Legion Auxiliary, celebrating their 107th anniversary this year.
Auxiliary president Melanie Shambaugh said soldiers’ diets were limited, and they needed something cheap and filling.
Bean dinners became a way to honor veterans, and the Auxiliary continues that tradition, Shambaugh said, inviting attendees to a hearty lunch of bean soup, vegetable soup, hot dogs, ham sandwiches and cakes.
All military veterans in attendance were recognized during a medley of branch anthems and were invited to pick out a gift from a table set up in the Legion.
After a wreath ceremony, a gun salute and playing of “Taps” by the American Legion Honor Guard capped off the program, as the colors were retired.
The Guard’s German Shepherd, a loyal service dog, represented the animal contingency, as seated from his camp chair during the Veterans Day program at the Legion.
The post Veterans and equines honored at American Legion Post 60 annual event appeared first on Morgan Messenger.
