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Page 8A THE BEACON December 2019
The American Legion- Serving Community and Country for a Century
By Katie Ulrich
This year marks the one
hundredth anniversary of
the American Legion. With
many Legion posts in the
area (including ones in Sunman,
St. Leon, Milan, New
Alsace, Aurora, Lawrenceburg,
Brookville, Moores Hill, Osgood,
Versailles, Harrison, and
Dillsboro), it is easy to overlook
them or take for granted
what they do for the community.
Back in March 1919, only
a few months after the end of
World War I, the first members
of the American Legion came
together in Paris. By May, the
organization was officially
named the American Legion,
and its preamble and constitution
were approved. It was
built on four pillars: Veteran
Affairs and Rehabilitation,
National Security, Americanism,
and Children and Youth.
In early November, before the
year was up, a vote was held
for the location of the Legion’s
national headquarters. Indianapolis
won over Washington
by thirty-eight votes and still
houses the headquarters today.
The American Legion’s primary
focus is on veterans and
the community. Only six years
after its creation, the American
Legion began a program
for the nation’s most patriotic
sport. The American Legion
Baseball program had a bit
of a rocky start, including
struggling through the Great
Depression, but it is thriving
today. American Legion Baseball
has teams in every state,
as well as Canada. Sixty-eight
members of the Baseball Hall
of Fame were previously part
of American Legion Baseball.
This year was the 93rd American
Legion Baseball World
Series, held in North Carolina.
The Legion also hosts an Oratorical
Contest for high school
students. According to the
American Legion’s information
about the contest, the program
presents contestants “with an
academic speaking challenge
that teaches important leadership
qualities, the history of
our nation’s laws, the ability
to think and speak clearly, and
an understanding of the duties,
responsibilities, rights, and
privileges of American citizenship.”
The national winner is
awarded a $20,000 scholarship,
while the second takes
The granite stone at the
memorial.
home $17,000, and third wins
$15,000. This isn’t the only
scholarship opportunity the
Legion provides. The Legacy
Scholarship provides assistance
for children of post-9/11
veterans, and Eagle Scouts can
be nominated for the Eagle
Scout of the Year Scholarship.
High school juniors who
belong to the American Legion
state programs are eligible for
the Samsung American Legion
Scholarship, which was created
in 1996 in memory of veterans
who aided Korea in the battle
against communism.
Another way the American
Legion benefits the community
is through its National
Emergency Fund. This fund is
dedicated to helping Legion
Family members and posts
in the event of a disaster,
which has previously included
hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes,
and flooding. Since
the American Legion is a
non-profit, this has included
millions of dollars in aid that
went directly to those in need.
The memorial at the park in Moores Hill is located directly
across from the American Legion post.
The American Legion also
reaches out to veterans in
many ways. One such avenue
is through Operation Comfort
Warriors, through which the
Legion uses donations to help
supply wounded veterans with
comfort items and provide any
assistance they may need. The
Legion also works to assist
homeless veterans, through
the support of laws that would
provide healthy meals, housing,
rehabilitation, counseling,
and employment to veterans.
Additionally, the Legion has
a Homeless Veterans Task
Force that works to provide for
homeless or financially burdened
veterans on a local level.
Events can also be coordinated
at local posts for further aid and
prevention of homelessness.
In 1990, the Legion developed
a Family Support
Network as a service to men
and women deployed in the
Middle East. This continues
today, providing things such
Photos by
Katie Ulrich
as lawn care, baby-sitting, and
financial help for families of
deployed military members.
In 2002, the American Legion
created the “I Am Not a Number”
campaign. This campaign
allowed them to keep track
of and record the roadblocks
veterans faced in receiving assistance
from the Department
of Veteran Affairs.
Locally, the Legion posts
are very active. The American
Legion located in Sunman
houses a restaurant and bar.
Legions in the area also rent
their space as wedding venues,
have bingo nights, and sell
commemorative bricks as part
of their Veteran’s Memorial.
The Legion post in Milan has
hosted numerous benefits for
families dealing with medical
expenses and hosts an annual
Flag Retirement ceremony. In
New Alsace, the post hosts a
once-a-month Senior Citizen
Lunch. This November will be
their 49th annual Holiday Bazaar
and Turkey Dinner, which
includes baked goods, crafts,
raffles, and carryout meals. The
Moores Hill post has a park
that includes two shelters, a
playground, and a beautiful gazebo
that are directly across the
street from their Legion Hall.
Part of the Legion’s mission
statement says, “The
American Legion’s success
depends entirely on active
membership, participation, and
volunteerism. The organization
belongs to the people it serves
and the communities in which
it thrives.” To celebrate the
American Legion’s 100 years
of community and service, the
United States Mint has released
commemorative coins available
to the public for purchase.
The American Legion has been
growing and giving for the
last one hundred years and has
helped thousands of people
with their efforts.
Holiday Open House
Friday, Nov. 29th 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 30th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 1st 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Black Friday Doorbuster Sales!
Register To Win A Casey’s Gift Card
Free Activities For The Kids
Complimentary Hot Chocolate Bar
Holiday Portraits 12:00-2:00 On Sat.
Pictures With Santa 2:00-5:00 On Sat.
For Additional Information Visit
CaseysOutdoor.com/events
812-537-3800 • CaseysOutdoor.com • 21481 State Line Rd. Lawrenceburg, IN
Twenty-five Years of Bringing our Community and Businesses Together.