Special to the Enquirer  

The American Legion of Hartselle recently honored several members for their outstanding contributions in 2021. The honorees were publicly recognized and presented with plaques by Post Commander Michael Ferguson March 3.  

Mark Hendrix of Hartselle was selected as the 2021 Veteran of the Year, while Brian Williams of Hartselle earned the 2021 Recruiter of the Year Award. Kieron Butler, also of Hartselle, was honored with the Post 52 Outstanding Service Award. 

“Many Legionnaires and Auxiliary members made major contributions in 2021,” Ferguson said. “Many individual members have given countless hours of their time and resources for the betterment of Post 52, and those contributions collectively have helped transform this Post into one of the fastest growing American Legion posts in the state. 

“There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, well beyond the one day a month Post 52 conducts its monthly meeting,” he continued. “All three of our award-winners should be commended for their level of volunteerism and their dedication to the cause of serving veterans in our community.  

“I congratulate each of them on a job well done.”  

The American Legion has more than two million members in 13,000 posts in the U.S. and in France, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Philippines. It is the largest veterans’ organization in the United States. It is also one of the most influential non-profit groups in the country and helped form the Veterans Administration.