Knights receive surprise donation from Illinois

A surprise donation to the Green River Knights American Legion baseball team came as a result of an article published by the American Legion.

Saturday, the Tom Whitmore Post No. 28 gave a $200 check to the baseball team initially sent to the post by Anthony Bialy, a veteran in Illinois. A letter from Bialy praised the post on the work done to rejuvenate itself from a dormant organization.

“Do you really understand what you people did about building up your post,” Bialy wrote in the letter. “You had the negative ones saying it could not be done and you proved them wrong.”

An article about the post, titled “Green River Gamble” was published July 21, 2015 in the American Legion Magazine, detailing the work involved in rebuilding the post.

Green River has become an example for other posts to follow in regards to recruiting younger members into its three organizations.

Much of the legion’s nationwide membership comes from veterans involved in the Vietnam War.

“I believe it was a battle all the way,” Bialy wrote.

Post Commander Tony Niemiec said the letter took him by surprise when he first received it.

Initially addressed to Tollgate Rock, it found its way to the post’s location on North Center Street.

Tony said Bialy specifically asked the donation go to the legion baseball team.

Coach Brad Hatfield said the team has grown greatly in the past few years, hosting a second B team and almost large enough for a third C team.