“Today we are having a blood drive, but we call it a blood feud because blood will be spilled. It’s the American Legion vs. the VFW; two veterans’ organizations working together to get blood donations for Cullman County.”Dan Raley, American Legion
CULLMAN – On Saturday, March 12, the American Legion and the VFW joined forces and hosted a “blood feud.” From 11 a.m.-4 p.m., members, family and friends of both organizations came by and gave blood. The event was a little different than most blood drives because the veterans turned it into a competition.
“Today we are having a blood drive, but we call it a blood feud because blood will be spilled,” said Dan Raley, commander of American Legion Post 4 in Cullman. “It’s the American Legion vs. the VFW; two veterans’ organizations working together to get blood donations for Cullman County. We are here to help the people.
“We are learning to cooperate more with each other better than has been done in the past,” he continued. “We are taking blood donations from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and having a contest. The loser of the contest between the American Legion and the VFW has to serve dinner to the winner at their next meeting. So the VFW may be serving dinner to the American Legion or we could be serving it to them,” he chuckled. “We are very excited about it; they are great people.”
“We are saving lives today,” Ryan Phillip Schlachter, vice commander of Sons of the American Legion Post 4 in Cullman, added. “My wife has had a few problems so she is low on blood from a pregnancy so I am here to donate blood. I figure it will come back around, you know?”
“I hope everyone comes out and supports us today by giving blood and helping other people,” Jerry Willibey, VFW Alabama District 1 commander, commented.
As the blood feud wrapped up, the American Legion just barely edged out the VFW, so it looks like the members of the VFW will be strapping on the aprons at the Legion’s next meeting.
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, and in this case it will save lives! For more information about the American Legion call Dan Raley at 256-347-4732. For information about the VFW contact them at 256-739-6611
Photo shows Dan Raley, commander of American Legion Post 4 in Cullman, and Jerry Willibey, VFW Alabama District 1 commander.
