Legion auxiliary president visits Reardan

REARDAN – Pam Ray, national president of the American Legion Auxiliary, visited town Thursday, Oct. 9, to view the site of the Reardan Heroes' future memorial that will honor Medal of Honor recipient Joe Mann and all area veterans.

Reardan Heroes President Gail Daniels, Vice President Wayne Terry, and members of American Legion Post 113 hosted Ray during her one-hour visit.

After seeing a rendering of the completed monument and the excavation work done over the past two months, Ray said, "This is amazing."

Ray, who lives in Urbana, Illinois, travels the country to learn what communities are doing to honor veterans. She lauded the Reardan Heroes for funding the project entirely through donations.

"It is amazing to see what a small town like Reardan can get done," she said. "This is a project that is filled with love and will come to fruition. Joe Mann is the epitome of bravery, valor and duty. He and all the veterans in this area need to be remembered for their service. When this memorial is done, I will come back. I want to see it."

Daniels was grateful that Ray included Reardan in her travels.

"It was an honor for us to have the president of the American Legion Auxiliary here today," Daniels said. "The more exposure we get for the memorial, the more successful it will be."