Ainsworth Legion places ?visible? memorial for its World War I namesake

Members of Ainsworth American Legion?s James Harlan Thoma Post 351 will dedicate on Memorial Day what its commander calls a ?highly visible? permanent monument to the World War I soldier for whom the post is named.

The granite stone honors Ainsworth artilleryman Jim Thoma, killed in action during the 1918 Battle of Champagne in France. Legion members, with major help from Bean Brothers Memorials, have placed the new monument at the most traveled intersection in Ainsworth?s Oregon Township Cemetery.

?Our Legion post wants to keep the memory of James Harlan Thoma, along with other veterans, alive in our community,? said Tom Hartsock, commander of Ainsworth?s Legion Post 351. ?This highly visible monument is a strong way to make that happen.?

Post 351 members and other groups will begin the community?s annual Memorial Day program Monday at 10 a.m. in the Ainsworth School Gym. Speaker Jim Stephens will share what he believes are previously unknown facts about Post 351 members in his brief talk, ?A Walk On the Wild Side.? Dedication of the new James Harlan Thoma memorial will follow at nearby Oregon Township Cemetery. Post 351?s Color Guard and Firing Squad will honor ?those who have gone before us, including the special few from our community who gave their lives to maintain our freedoms,? said Hartsock.

Post 351 members will raise the Avenue of Flags in the cemetery beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 24. Members of the community are invited to help.