As the Little League baseball players wound down their opening day parade through Haddonfield on Saturday, March 24, they were piped into the ballpark by appropriately garbed bagpiper Dan Brown.
Introductory announcements were made and Mayor Tish Colombi threw a well-aimed strike to a Little League catcher at the plate and earned both a well earned round of applause.
In centerfield facing the flagpole was a contingent of Post 38 members awaiting their cue from the announcer. They were there to provide a ceremonial raising of the flag and were accompanied by Post 38 member, also a conductor of the pickup band, Tom Patton.
Tom Reiter, a member of the pickup band, also accompanied him.
The buglers sounded the Call to Colors followed by their rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” as Post 38 Past Commanders Lou Fallstick and Tom Baird hoisted the flag.
In addition to participating in sponsoring the American Legion Little League team and providing the American and POW/MIA flags for the Little League complex, Haddonfield Post 38 initiated a tradition of providing ceremonial American Legion Color Guard and bugler services for all future opening days starting with the 2012 season.
When the season is complete, Post 38 plans to formally retire the colors and store them until next season opener.
