Ellsworth City administrator Scott Moore talked about the importance of the relationship between the American Legion and the communities the organization serves Saturday, during the Legion’s Sixth District Fall Conference in Ellsworth.

Moore said it’s nice to remember those who served.

“A lot of times our veterans go through transition and those who are not connected with the legion or the VFW feel isolated,” he said. “We know men and women out there who should be part of the community as a whole and we need to make sure they are not forgotten.”

After thanking the legion for allowing Ellsworth to host the Sixth District Fall Conference, Moore turned to his own family’s story of service and sacrifice for the nation.

Moore said his uncle, Julius Thomas, served in the Vietnam War, but did not return.

Back in 2001 or 2002, a neighbor told Moore his uncle’s name was on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Last year, Moore visited the memorial and made an etching of his uncle’s name.

“I have that on my refrigerator,” he said. “When you look at all the names, a lot of those guys never made it back.”

He noted it is important to realize that unlike previous generations of Americans who served and sacrificed for our country, many of today’s younger generation don’t really appreciate the sacrifices made by veterans.

“I was never enlisted, but I had family members that were involved in the military — and I realized their sacrifices,” Moore said.

Moore said when he was growing up, he would always try to go see his grandmother, but she was always at a local Legion event looking for a sign that his uncle had come back home.

“When she finally came to the realization that he never did come back home, my grandmother accepted it as a great loss,” Moore said. “As a young member coming up in a family of somebody who served in the military, I think it is important even today, in my professional career, to recognize what you guys do.”

Moore said Ellsworth is fortunate to host a event such as the Fall Conference.

“We have several things that are going on, but it’s due to the legion,” he said.“The legion is the heartbeat of our community. We feel that anything we can do as a community to support that is important.”

He said it is important for veterans organizations such as the legion to continue going to the schools and talking with young people about veterans and their legacy of service and sacrifice for the nation.

“We’re fortunate as a country to be able to look at each other, whatever the differences are, and know that we have freedoms and rights that we should defend,” Moore said. “No matter what age, what race, or religion, we should realize this country is worth fighting for. I want to make sure we continue to build on that because your legacy is important.”

Gary Foos of Ness City, the Area West Vice Commander for the Kansas American Legion, said everything is going well for the organization.

“The biggest thing is the decline in membership,” he said.“But everything is looking positive and we’re trying to get that all turned around through the new LEGION Act.”

Foos said the LEGION Act allows anyone who served in the military from 1941 to the present to join the American Legion.

“So things are looking up,” he said.“We just need to get our membership turned around to be able to support the programs that the legion does.”

When it comes to the Veteran’s Administration and health care for veterans, Foos said he feels the system is getting better.

“It’s like any government entity, it takes time to get things implemented,” he said. “Sen. Jerry Moran has helped in various locations because he does support the veterans. It’s still not perfect, but it is better than it used to be.”

Foos said he knows several veterans who go to the VA Hospital in Wichita, or occasionally to VA facilities in Dodge City or Hays for their health care needs.

“For the most part, everybody, from what I understand, is getting taken care of,” he said.

George Martin, commander of the Ellsworth American Legion, said he was glad the event was conducted in Ellsworth.

“It’s been a good experience,” he said.“This is the first time we’ve done it, so now we’ll know all the mistakes we’ve made and we’ll be able to go forward.”

Jimmy Strachen of Dorrance, American Legion Sixth District commander, said Ellsworth was chosen because the legion is trying to spread events throughout the district in order to get legionnaires from more posts to attend those events.

Strachen said the purpose of the Fall Conference is to inform and educate legion members on various items of importance to the organization. Topping that list are getting members to renew their memberships, attracting new members, and having members attend the various functions hosted by the legion.

Jason Hicks, vice commander of the Ellsworth American Legion, said it was good to have the conference in Ellsworth.

“It’s high time we got a little recognition,” he said.“This is a pretty big step up.”