White River Junction, VT — June 24, 2011 — A new American Legion Post has received a Temporary Charter named in honor of a native son and fallen Marine from White River Junction.
The new post, known as Jeffery S. Holmes Post No. 84, was formed for the purpose of advocating the core values of what the American Legion is founded on. The members chose to name the post after Jeffery S. Holmes as a means of honoring the memory of this fine Marine who gave his life in service to our country on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. Even the Post number of 84 was specifically requested because it was the year in which Jeffery was born. This is the first American Legion Post in Vermont to be named in honor of a fallen service member of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The 20 Charter Members of this new post are committed to focusing all of their energies on supporting and promoting the programs of the American Legion. Though the individual programs are vast in number, they culminate into what are known as “The Four Pillars of the American Legion”. “What better way to honor the memory of LCPL Holmes and continue his legacy than by serving our community and the veterans who live within it”, said David S. Irish, who is the new Post Commander. Some of these programs include scholarships, community projects and support, veterans assistance, and youth programs such as Oratorical Contest, Boys State, Law & Cadet Program, Scouting and much more.

In-line with service to our veterans, the new post has coordinated with the Veterans Administration in White River Junction to hold their meetings there. Through the VA’s generosity of providing a substance and alcohol-free meeting space at no cost, it further allows Post No. 84 to apply a large percentage of any monies they generate to go directly towards the programs they will be supporting.