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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

American Legion Watauga Post 49 officially swore in new members on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during a ceremony held at the post.

This unit was chartered at the American Legion Mid-Winter Conference, which was held in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on January 10-12, 2025. This week, they were sworn in by Cathy Umrichin, Auxiliary 1st District president. Also in her company were Michelle McLaughlin, vice president of Auxiliary, and Rebekah McLaughlin, East Tenn. vice president of Auxiliary (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Districts). It has been approximately five years since this post was a chartered Auxiliary, as the previous unit disbanded as a result of COVID-19.

In the audience were several guests, including Todd McKinley, senior vice commander, and James McLaughlin, East Tenn. vice commander over the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Districts. For clarification purposes, Watauga Post 49 is in District 1.

The post has been actively involved in disaster relief as a result of Hurricane Helene. We support youth groups, such as the NNDCC at Elizabethton High School, and have a Girl Scout troop that utilizes our post for their meetings. The commander for the new post will be Paulette Baldwin; she is the first female commander in the post’s 105-year history.

The newly formed Auxiliary is also quite active in the community. Commander Baldwin shared that one program they are deeply involved in is the proper retirement of worn American flags. “We have a drop-off location in downtown Elizabethton and another at Lowe’s. We have a liaison with Tetrick Funeral Home in their crematorium, where the folded flags are placed with a veteran, with the family’s blessing. At this time, we have processed over 2,000 flags.”

If anyone is interested in becoming a member, meetings are held on the first Tuesday night of each month, with dinner being served before the business meeting. The meal cost is $6.