SILOAM SPRINGS -- This year marks the 100th anniversary of the city American Legion post, and members plan to celebrate the milestone.
"It makes you puff your chest out a little bit," said J.W. Smith, post adjutant.
Members
Veterans interested in becoming members of Post 29 should call (479) 839-2166.
"We're honored to be able to do it," said Junior Ford, post member.
The American Legion will host a 100th anniversary celebration during its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday. It invites post members, their families and participants of the Arkansas Boys State and Girls State programs, summer leadership and citizenship programs hosted by the legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for cake and a cookout. The post is at 110 N. Mount Olive St.
The American Legion began in 1919 when Congress chartered the organization focused on veterans, service members and community involvement, according to the organization's website. Today, the national organization estimates there are more than 2 million members and 13,000 posts worldwide.
The post was approved by national headquarters on July 31, 1919, and began with 15 members. Today, the post is 188 members, represented by people from as far away as California and Texas, Smith said. The majority of members are from western Benton County and eastern Adair and Delaware counties in Oklahoma, Smith said.
The post continues to support the national legion's four pillars: veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth, according to Smith.
These include tasks such as supporting the Boy Scouts, encouraging voter registration and a slew of other volunteer acts.
The post sponsors students to attend the Arkansas Boys State and Girls State programs. It's sent boys to Boys State since at least 1941, according to records.
Smith estimates girls have been attending Girls State for almost 72 years. The post award for citizen of the year, both for a high school male and female, was reinstated about seven years ago, Smith said.
Ford said the post participates in a number of community activities, including hosting an annual Memorial Day program, organizing an annual Veterans Day parade, facilitating an American flag education program at area schools and maintaining a color guard that provides military honors at veterans' funerals.
Smith said the organization logs an average 6,000 to 7,000 volunteer hours every year.
NW News on 06/30/2019