Veteran honored for 70-year membership with American Legion

Despite being a member with the American Legion for decades upon decades, Bud Kelly has very little to say about it really.

“Very proud, very proud,” Kelly said after being asked what his membership meant to him.

On Wednesday, two members of the American Falls American Legion Roland Evans Post 3 presented him with a certificate honoring his 70-year membership.

He joined the veterans organization after his service in World War II, where he was a prisoner of war for five months. Kelly remembers when German soldiers captured his unit during the Battle of the Bulge.

“It wasn’t long until they surrounded us and then we were captured as a unit,” Kelly said. “I did not surrender as an individual. I want that known.”

Billy Palmer, one of the men who presented the certificate, has been looking up to Kelly since he was 13. Referring to him as Uncle Bud, Palmer said he never lost his sense of service when he returned home.

“If you ever needed anything, there was Uncle Bud,” Palmer said. “Even when he got older, even retired, he would walk and patrol the playgrounds of the elementary school to make sure our kids were protected.”

This undying need to serve continues to inspire Palmer at age 50, who’s been an American Legion member for 25 years.

“Since I’m no longer serving in the Army it’s my job now to serve my community as he did,” Palmer said.

When asked if he imagined being a member for this long, Kelly replied, “I didn’t think I’d live 91 years. Some of the younger members have taken over, and they’re still doing a great job.”

Kelly has a number of honors from his time in the service, including a Purple Heart medal. He has also served as the Power County coroner in the past.