News : AMVETS name McDonald member of the year; honor the late Brian Robinson

AMVETS member Lonnie McDonald presents a flag box to Susan Robinson.

Susan Robinson, widow of Brian, presents the AMVETS Member of the Year award to Lonnie McDonald

Autumn Sauer, Steven Sauer and Keenan Andreas were honored for work with the AMVETS food booth.

The Vinton AMVETS Post 218 gathered recently to honor its new Member of the Year, as well as last year's honoree, who recently passed away.

Lonnie McDonald is the AMVETS Member of the Year. The club honored him for his service to the community and the organization while fighting cancer. McDonald also made a flag box to present to Susan Robinson, whose husband Brian died earlier this year. Brian Robinson was a long-time AMVETS member and was last year's Member of the Year. Susan Robinson presented McDonald his award on behalf of Brian (it's the AMVETS custom for the previous year's winner to give the plaque to the new honoree).

The AMVETS also honored three area teens for their work in helping with the AMVETS booth at the recent Evergreen Cemetery Flea Market. Autumn Sauer, Steven Sauer and Keenan Andreas received certificates. The AMVETS is planning on starting a junior club, and those three will likely be among the first members.