By BETH ZUMWALT
Submitted photo Gabe Barber gives a thumbs up to the new football in the memorial showcase at the Julian Wells Post 442 in Winchester. The 2021 West Central Cougars donated the ball to the Legion, for all of their support of the team throughout the year.
The Julian Wells Post 442 of the American Legion does a lot for community causes this year the Cougar football team was one of the recipients of that generosity.
The team made arrangements last spring to use the Legion hall as a site for pre-game meals.
The Legion also agreed to host not only the pre-game meals, but, the end-of-the season banquet and awards ceremony as well.
“We were more than happy to oblige them,”Matt Barber, Legion member, said. “A lot of veterans have played for the West Central Cougars and the Winchester Wildcats throughout the years.”
The Cougars also honored all of the veterans this season by wearing the branch logos as their speciality awards each week.
To show their gratitude, the team has presented the Legion with a football signed by team members.
“We debated where to put it and decided on the display case already in place, where you enter the fall,” Barber said. “The football is proudly placed in the same area as the Silver Star,t he third highest award for valor given during times of war, Beanie Babies, that flew in Chinooks over Iraq and Afghanistan and other mementos.”
Barber said the Legion was honored to have helped the team and for the gift of the football.
“We’re proud of the football team,not only for how they played this past season, but, for how great of men they are off the field.
