American Legion Post 117 provided a boost to Downtown Butler revitalization with its new post home on South Main Street. The building was dedicated in 2001.

But the finishing touches to that project, which were dedicated Sept. 6, provide a source of reflection on the sacrifices made by many of those who have served — and those serving now — in the armed forces.

People passing the Legion post should stop to appreciate what has been put in place.

On Sept. 6, the dedication ceremony was for flagpoles and a pavilion — the display honoring veterans including Sgt. Carl Morgain of Penn Township and Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin of Mercer, post members who were killed in Iraq.

In addition to the flagpoles, the pavilion includes a plaque and a 140-pound brass fallen soldier statue that depicts a pair of combat boots and a muzzle-down rifle with a helmet atop its butt end.

Butler is a community that appreciates the dedication and commitment of all members of the armed forces. What Post 117 has done is confirmation of that appreciation.

The schools are back in session and, unfortunately, so are the hugs and kisses at some school bus stops while buses are waiting — with red lights flashing and traffic backed up behind them — for students to board.The parents involved in these unnecessary last-minute practices involving elementary-age children ignore the fact that the motorists behind their children's bus also have somewhere to go — like to work or a doctor's appointment.The more hugs and kisses, the more vehicles that are tied up by the buses making stop after stop.Motorists must fully observe the laws governing school buses; there is no question about that. However, the hugging and kissing should be done before the bus' arrival so children can immediately walk to the bus once it stops, its red lights are blinking, and other traffic is stopped.Meanwhile, parents who opt for small talk with bus drivers after children have boarded don't help the buses remain on schedule either.Most motorists are patient, despite the necessary delays, and that's good.But making motorists wait longer than necessary — due to kissing, embracing and casual small talk — is a lack of consideration that should cease.

People of the area should accept the invitation of the Butler County Chapter, American Red Cross, to meet its new executive director, Scott Snyder.That opportunity will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Butler Elks Lodge at 80 Kaufman Drive on the city's South Side.Snyder, who began his new position on Sept. 1 succeeding Jody Knights, retired, has worked for the Red Cross for 12 years. Prior to beginning work here, he worked with the Red Cross in New Mexico.The opportunity to meet Snyder is important considering the viewpoint he expressed for an article in last Sunday's Butler Eagle:"I want people to know that this organization is the community and we are here to say, 'How can we help you be prepared?' "The Sept. 30 opportunity to meet Snyder will help provide the familiarity that the new executive director feels is necessary for people to want to partner with the Red Cross and help it meet its goals, needs and responsibilities.Fortunately for the local Red Cross chapter, Snyder has extensive knowledge regarding this county. He grew up on Butler's South Side, is a 1989 graduate of Butler High School, and part of his higher education was at Butler County Community College.Besides his work in New Mexico, Snyder helped provide Red Cross services in places such as New York and Shanksville following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and he also worked in the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina.He is upbeat about the local Red Cross unit, observing that the chapter is doing better than many non-profits, even other Red Cross chapters.Sept. 30 will provide the opportunity for people in this county to say "Welcome back" and perhaps learn a little bit more about what the Red Cross is all about. It is much more than an agency that sponsors blood drives.<B><I> — J.R.K.</B></I>