BRISTOL — During the month of March, the American Legion celebrated its birthday, and this year marks the 98th anniversary of the American Legion.
During this month’s Annual Birthday Dinner, Bristol American Legion Post 19 recognized five individuals for their continuous membership in the American Legion and two individuals for their outstanding service and commitment to their communities with the Legion’s Above and Beyond Awards.
The five individuals receiving certificates from National Legion Headquarters for their continuous membership in the American Legion are: for 60 years, Francis Brown; and for 50 years Terry Cunningham, Richard Jimmo, Loren Lathrop and Reg Swenor.
Nominations for the Above and Beyond Awards are solicited from our five towns; Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro. The Legion is looking for individuals that are either volunteers or employees of their communities that go above and beyond their normal routine duties.  Through the number of nominations received this year, the Post selected two outstanding individuals who contribute a great deal of time and energy to their respective communities.
From Monkton, Logan LeCompte nominated Wayne Preston. Some of LeCompte’s comments are: Preston has been Monkton’s highly respected Road Commissioner for over 40 years. When the worse weather rolls across the hills of Monkton, Preston is always there to keep the public safe during their travels. Preston started a Monkton Community Disaster Response Program for major disasters and public health crisis. Today, that program has grown in numbers with members with specific tasks and goals during a town wide emergency. He is also an outstanding firefighter from the Monkton Volunteer Fire Department insuring the roads are safe during cold weather fires from slippery conditions.
Each year, Preston donates the town grader to the Hinesburg “Big Truck Day” event. The grader is well received by the viewing public at this event. He is a well-liked and respected individual of his close knit community. Everyone in town and the surrounding towns has a story about Preston, some funny and some heroic. There are many other things Preston has done or been a part of that can be categorized as “Above and Beyond.”
From Bristol, Jim Rivers, BSA Troop 543 Committee Chairman, nominated Kevin LaRose.  Some of Rivers’ comments are:
LaRose has not only given innumerable hours to the Bristol Fire Department over the years, but has also found the time to give back to the youth in Bristol through coaching various sports and church teams. He has also given much time to the local Cub Scout Program and now serves as the Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 543 Not many people realize that between weekly meetings and monthly outings, a Scoutmaster can commit to over 40 hours in any given month.
LaRose being an Eagle Scout sees the value in the Scouting Program and is doing his best to see every boy has an opportunity to experience what Scouting has to offer. With his commitment to the Scouting Program and being an officer with the Bristol Fire Department, there are few nights Kevin has free to see his own daughter and son participate in school sports and other activities. LaRose exemplifies what going “Above and Beyond” means in all of his volunteer activities and time given to the community of Bristol and its youth.