James Kearney honored for 60 years of service

By Maurice Emery
Editor

In recognizing James Kearney, Jr. for his 60 years of continues service, American Legion Post 308Commander  Dick Kohl stated, “I consider it a real privilege tonight to recognize one of our own for reasons than one James Kearney has sixty years of continuous service as certified by the American Legion.” 

Since Kearney joined Post 308 he has seen the post move four times.  One of those times was the rebuilding of the post after hurricane Hazel came through in 1954.  He has seen eleven presidents from President Truman to G. W. Bush. He has seen seven mayors sworn in for Littleton.  

The year he joined the Legion was the same year of the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall was approved and Israel was founded.   It was also the year the first commercial jetliner was flown.  NCAA Basketball Championship - Kentucky beat Baylor 58-42.  Cleveland Browns beat the Buffalo Bills 49-7 in the All-America Football Conference championship game.  Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago in a blizzard 7-0.

He was in the Army in World War II and has been a member through the Korean War, Vietnam War now the Iraq war.  Through it all he has been an active participant in the post.  In his comments Kohl stated, “You would think that when somebody has done sixty years of service that they could kick back take their pack off and loosen their leggings, as they used to say, and kind of enjoy themselves, this is not James.  He is still a very active member of our post.”

In honoring James the American Legion sent a certificate stating, “Certificate of continuous membership issued in grateful appreciation for faithful and dedicated allegiance to the ideals of the American Legion.  Be it known that James J. Kearney a long time and dedicate member of Am Leg Post 308 department of North Carolina has been certified to have been a member in good standing continuously for sixty years and be it further known that such record of consistent loyalty to the American Legion merits the honor of being sited as an outstanding contributor to the programs of the Am Leg in witness thereof this testimonial of personal gratitude is given under the hand of the national commander…”

In his true quiet way of working hard and not seeking recognition when Commander Kohl asked if he had anything to say, James replied simply, “you’ve said it all.”James thank you very much you.  When asked to speak he said well you’ve said it all.