Courtesy photo In the photo at right, shown are (from left) Don Couiliard, Ray Godfrey, Jeff Ware, John Pickard, Commander Randy Bruntjens and George Maciejewski.

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone August Mattson Sons of the American Legion Squad #71 were recently honored with a certificate and Flag Ribbon commemorating the achievement of 100 percent in membership and continued donation of one dollar per member to the Child Welfare club.

Every Squadron that achieves 100 percent by Detachment Convention by June will receive the award which can be displayed in the Post club room. There is also a certificate and flag banner that the squadron can keep in its files for the history of the squadron.

The Michigan Sons of the American Legion are making great strides in the American Legion programs, helping the local posts and working with the community. The Sons of the American Legion was founded for preserving the American Legion Traditions and programs while improving the quality of life for our nations children, caring for veterans and their families and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

Officers and members are involved in a wide range of activities from the annual Flag Retirement on June 14 to honoring veterans on Memorial Day festivities by placing flags on graves at the Fernwood Cemetery and P.O.W./M.I.A. Day and Veterans Day in the fall.

The Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Michigan represents over 26,000 members in the State. They were founded in 1932 as a program of the American Legion. Sons, and Grandsons and Great Grandsons of Veterans, both Living or deceased are eligible to join the Sons. Squad #71 meets every second Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. at 802 Delta Ave, in Gladstone.