Before Bruce Smith starts tackling some Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, 13 members of Winnek American Legion Post 396 of Geneva will present the flag at the Buffalo Bills game at Rich Stadium. Plans for the appearance began earlier this month, when Legion member Terry Scherer
called to ask Bills management if they would be interested in having a post color guard —
dressed in World War I uniforms — present the flag before the football game. The local group was inspired by a Civil War-era color guard that appeared at the stadium last year. The Legion color guard, called "The Doughboys," sent a photo of themselves to Bills management, expecting a one- or two-year wait. Much to their surprise, Bills' Entertainment Director Tim Maloney
called back Sunday and asked if the guard could appear at this week's game. "It's just unreal," said Scherer. "Certainly we're proud of it." The group's World War I-era uniforms feature "bowl" helmets and khaki-colored, gabardine fatigues. The fatigues were ordered
new from a Pennsylvania company, but the helmets saw action in Belgium. In addition, other Legionnaires have loaned family relics, such as belts, for marchers to wear. The doughboy fatigues were chosen for their uniqueness and because they represented an era many people aren't familiar with. They are accurate right down to their insignia and premiered at this year's Memorial Day parade in Geneva. "We've got a tremendous sense of appreciation for what
people of this era went through, now that we're wearing these hot things," said Scherer, who
stressed Sunday's appearance will be a team effort and members want to be as sharp as possible
for the crowd. "We just want to do a good job," he said.

View more history for Post 396 in Geneva, New York