American Legion Post #980 Plum Boro, PA

08/18/2025

“Our flag does not fly from the wind, it flies with the last breath of every fallen hero who served this country”
~so powerful

08/18/2025

08/18/2025

Lest We Forget...
On March 24, 1970, Major Michael Davis O’Donnell, a helicopter pilot with the 170th Assault Helicopter Company, was commanding a UH-1H Iroquois helicopter on a high-stakes mission deep in Cambodia’s Ratanokiri Province.

His task was to extract a beleaguered Special Forces MACV-SOG long-range reconnaissance patrol team, led by 1LT Jerry Pool, which had been relentlessly pursued by enemy forces through the night. The team, exhausted and under fire, radioed that immediate extraction was critical.

O’Donnell, known for his courage and quick decision-making, assessed the situation and landed his helicopter in a small, treacherous clearing despite the absence of a proper landing zone. After four tense minutes on the ground, he successfully loaded all eight team members, including his crew—WO John Hosken, SP4 Rudy Becerra, and SP4 Berman Ganoe—along with the LRRP team. As the helicopter ascended, it was struck by enemy fire, triggering a devastating explosion.

The crippled UH-1H struggled briefly, traveling about 300 meters before a second explosion tore through the aircraft, causing it to crash into the dense jungle below. Witnesses in a nearby Cobra helicopter reported seeing a yellow flash and thick black smoke rising from the crash site, with debris scattered widely, suggesting a catastrophic impact. Intense enemy ground fire prevented immediate rescue efforts, and aerial searches found no signs of survivors amidst the wreckage, which burned upon impact.

The dense jungle and hostile presence thwarted ground teams from reaching the site, and on April 18, search efforts were abandoned, leaving O’Donnell and the others listed as Missing in Action.

Decades later, in 1995, remains were recovered from the crash site, and by 2001, O’Donnell’s were identified through DNA testing, confirming his death. His bravery earned him posthumous honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart, and his poignant poem, written months earlier, immortalized his call to honor “those gentle heroes you left behind.”

NEVER FORGOTTEN
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...." Quote from a letter home by Major Michael Davis O'Donnell.

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

08/16/2025

SAL members John Fox, Jim Lovely & Ron Lucas along with ALA member Debbie Fox helped out at Southwest Veterans Center for their Safety Stand Down classes for their employees. They helped with registration and handed out the bags for employees to put all their safety information in. The SAL donated money to purchase the bags.

08/16/2025

Patty Churillo ALA & Terry Churillo SAL went to give out birthday cards to residents of Southwestern Place for veterans yesterday and celebrated 19 great women and men. They had some wonderful conversations with residents. Several people declined the lottery rub offs they put in the cards, so they doubled them up for those who love the excitement of scratching them off.
One gentleman wanted Patty's and Terry’s birthday numbers to add to his lottery playing numbers. He takes the lottery seriously and has a definite strategy to choosing his numbers.
They weren’t golfing last night but they were playing cards in one of the activities room so they went down to check it out. Patty brought a little stuffed animal, Stella and Patty had purchased just in case someone needed a little boost.
They found the perfect use for it. The card group played one special game and the winner got the little ray of sunshine. Carole won and she was thrilled taking her picture with Stella and her prize, which unfortunately was a bit out of the shot. Next time we will take more prizes with us since Stella, Terry and myself were all invited back to play with them again.
We thank them all for their service.

08/09/2025

HEY AMERICAN LEGION PICNIC GOERS, LOOK FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 980 GALS AT YOUR AT THE PICNIC SELLING OUR RAFFLE TICKETS

We are getting close to the end of chances to win $1000.00, while supporting our military & their families, our veterans, our community.

It's only $5.00 and you have a chance to win the $1000. Grand prize or 2 chances at $125. Second chance prize, only 500 tickets will be sold, all proceeds go to projects or donations to help our military and their families, veterans & the community.

Drawing will be determined by the Pa. Lottery Pick 3 at the 7:00 drawing September 1, 2025.

We thank you for your support and Good Luck!

08/05/2025

07/30/2025

Sons of The American Legion Detachment Convention was held in Harrisburg Saturday July 19, 2025 at the Harrisburg Hilton.
Our own SAL Commander of Squad 980, John Fox was sworn in as SAL 33rd District Commander and Bill Anchors was sworn in as Alternate National Executive Committeeman.
Terry Churillo SAL Squad 980 member was honored with the Steven W. Bogan Veterans Affairs And Rehabilitation Volunteer of the year 2025 Award.
Terry was joined by his wife Patty Churillo ALA member Unit 980 and Stella ALA Unit 980 Mascot.
There was much necessary business taken care of, Elections, Classes offered and good comradery shared with the entire American Legion Family who were in attendance.

07/21/2025

We attended the Pennsylvania American Legion 106th Convention this past weekend. Our new District 33 Commander is Dan Hart (Lt Col, Retired). please help us welcome him!