Planes, Trains & Heroes: A Story of Warner Robins and the Robins Region

Dublin VA Hospital was seen, and the Post 172
Honor Guard was formed in 1954 to assist the
Air Force base in meeting the burgeoning need
for firing squads for funerals and ceremonies.
In addition to the established Legion awards
and scholarships for local athletic and educational
communities, the Post also participated in
a special polio drive in 1954, and worked with
other civic organizations in support of the
March of Dimes, the Community Chest, Red
Cross, cerebral palsy efforts as well as to dozens
of local families in need.
In 1958 and 1959, Post 172 coordinated with
local radio station WRPB by broadcasting weekly,
half-hour shows, which responded to phone-in
questions concerning local veterans and other
services of interest to veterans and the local community.
A follow-up show was aired in March of
1959 recognizing the Legion’s fortieth birthday.
With the growth of both Warner Robins and
Robins Air Force Base in the 1960s, Post 172
also grew and has continued to support both the
city and the base throughout the years. A new
and larger facility was built in 1994, allowing
the Post to meet the growing needs and activities
of the community. The Post also added to its
veteran family, giving rise to the Ladies
Auxiliary, Unit 172, the Sons of the American
Legion, Squadron 172, and the Legion Riders.
In addition to the support of local veterans,
Post activities today also includes support of the
Dublin VA Hospital and a Veteran’s Home in
Macon. An active Post Honor Guard still provides
military honors for funerals of veterans when
requested, flag ceremonies that include the raising,
retiring and proper disposal of the American
flag, and military honors and recognition performances
at Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day
ceremonies sponsored by the city. Each Memorial
Day, the Post pays homage by placing 1,500 flags
on the graves of local veterans recognizing their
contributions to our nation, state and city.
Veterans, both retired and active duty, also
receive recognition annually. In addition to providing
complimentary meals four times per year
to local veterans, the Post also blesses active
duty Air Force personnel with gift certificates
and other support as deemed appropriate during
the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
The Ladies Auxiliary assists the Post and the
community by collecting items needed by veterans
at the Dublin VA Hospital and then visits the
hospital and it patients to distribute the items.
Support of a wide variety of Posts activities also
characterizes the Auxiliary’s mission for the
community as a whole.
The Sons of the American Legion is another
integral part of the greater Post 172 family.
Members regularly assist and participate in all
Legion activities, especially fundraising and participation
in the Honor Guard and American
Legion National Programs.
The American Legion Riders are the latest addition
to the Post 172 family and provide a visible
and honorable service to the Post’s growing range of
veteran activities and ceremonies. They frequently
join in motorcycle events–along with other veteran
rider’s groups such as Patriot Guards–to not only
escort fallen military members, but also ride hundreds
of miles each year to support and protect the
families of our fallen heroes.
American Legion Post 172 welcomes all eligible
veterans, retired military personnel,
National Guard and reserve personnel as well as
current active duty members to become members
of its family. The Post is located at 1345
Radio Loop Road in Warner Robins, Georgia
31088. The mailing address is P.O. Box 484,
Warner Robins, Georgia 31099 and the phone
number is 478-923-9238. You may contact the
Post online by emailing alpost172@gmail.com
or visiting www.alpost172ga.org.
Written by Skip Schwanfelder and
Dave Winward
Post 172
May 21, 2018
Sharing the Heritage ✦ 91