N-B Photos: Bluffton American Legion Post celebrates 95 years

The members of Bluffton American Legion Post 111 celebrated the post’s 95th anniversary Saturday night with a dinner and program at the post home in downtown Bluffton.

Ken Hylton, who is expected to be the next commander of the American Legion’s Indiana Department, provided the keynote message for the evening, thanking the local post for “its service to veterans, to the community of Bluffton, to the state of Indiana, and these great United States.”

The members of the Grover Sheets Post also handed out several honors:

Legionnaires honored for their years of continuous service were, from left, Wayne Lydy, 70 years; John Braden, 50 years; Lloyd Sills, 60 years; and Richard Edington, 60 years.

Officer William Alter, left, of the Marion Police Department, was among the law enforcement officers honored. Kash Vanover, center, of the Grover Sheets American Legion Post 111 presented Alter with a plaque. At right is Wells County Sheriff Monte Fisher.

Former State Rep. and Army veteran Jeff Espich, right, says a few words after being honored by the Bluffton American Legion post Saturday night. At right is Bob Buehl, who introduced Espich.

Kenneth Hylton, incoming commander for the Indiana Department of the American Legion, was the keynote speaker Saturday night. At right is Craig Mann, commander of Bluffton Post 111.

Detective Lisa Himelick, center, of the Grant County Police Department was among the law enforcement officers honored. Kash Vanover, left, of the Grover Sheets American Legion Post 111 presented Himelick with a plaque. At right is Wells County Sheriff Monte Fisher.

Paper airplanes fly through the family room of the Legion's post home Saturday night. Tom Pett, the adjutant for Post 111, wanted to give a proper "tribute" to Norb Bultemeier of Decatur. Pett asked everyone present to fold their programs into a paper airplane to give Bultemeier a "flyover."

Brenda Sue Wehr, background, president of the auxiliary to Post 111, presented a special honor to Cheryl Mann, foreground.

Women honored for their years of service to the auxiliary to Post 111 were, starting second from left, Magdalene Earhart, Wanda Overholtz, Mildred Huss, and Norma Smith. At left is auxiliary member Cheryl Mann and at right is Brenda Sue Wehr, president of the auxiliary.

Sharing the Legionnaire of the Year honor Saturday night were, from left, Carl Pace, Bob Buehl, and Mark Sprunger.